MATH 404
Random Matrix Theory
Last Offered Fall 2019
Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning
This course is not offered in the current catalog

Class Details

Initiated by research in multivariate statistics and nuclear physics, the study of random matrices is nowadays an active and exciting area of mathematics, with numerous applications to theoretical physics, number theory, functional analysis, optimal control, and finance. Random Matrix Theory provides understanding of various properties (most notably, statistics of eigenvalues) of matrices with random coefficients. This course will provide an introduction to the basic theory of random matrices, starting with a quick review of Linear Algebra and Probability Theory. We will continue with the study of Wigner matrices and prove the celebrated Wigner’s Semicircle Law, which brings together important ideas from analysis and combinatorics. After this, we will turn our attention to Gaussian ensembles and investigate the Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble (GOE) and the Gaussian Unitary Ensemble (GUE). The last lectures of the course will be dedicated to random Schrodinger operators and their spectral properties (in particular, the phenomenon called Anderson localization). Applications of Random Matrix Theory to theoretical physics, number theory, statistics, and finance will be discussed throughout the semester.
The Class: Format: lecture
Limit: 40
Expected: 20
Class#: 1589
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: homework assignments and exams
Prerequisites: experience with Real Analysis (MATH 350 or MATH 351) and with Probability (MATH 341 or STAT 201)
Enrollment Preferences: Mathematics and Statistics majors
Distributions: Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning
QFR Notes: This course expands ideas in probability and statistics from random variables (1x1 random matrices) to nxn random matrices. The students will learn to model complex physical phenomena using random matrices and study them using rigorous mathematical tools and concepts.

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