MATH 411
Commutative Algebra Spring 2025
Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning

Commutative Algebra is an essential area of mathematics that provides indispensable tools to many areas, including Number Theory and Algebraic Geometry. This course will introduce you to the fundamental concepts for the study of commutative rings, with a special focus on the notion of “prime ideals,” and how they generalize the well-known notion of primality in the set of integers. Commutative algebra has applications ranging from algebraic geometry to coding theory. For example, one can use commutative algebra to create error correcting codes. It is perhaps most often used, however, to study curves and surfaces in different spaces. To understand these structures, one must study polynomial rings over fields. This course will be an introduction to commutative algebra. Possible topics include polynomial rings, localizations, primary decomposition, completions, and modules.