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Unit information: Algebraic Geometry in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Algebraic Geometry
Unit code MATHM0036
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Babaee
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

MATH21800 Algebra 2

MATH20006 Metric Spaces

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

N/A

School/department School of Mathematics
Faculty Faculty of Science

Unit Information

Unit Aims

The aim of the unit is to give an introduction to algebraic geometry and investigate the basic algebro-geometric properties of affine and projective varieties.

Unit Description

Algebraic geometry is the study of systems of polynomial equations. The solution set of a system of polynomial equations forms a geometric object called an algebraic variety. The aim of this course is to develop basic algebraic tools to explore the geometry of these varieties. We also study some algebraic geometric objects of a combinatorial nature.

Relation to Other Units

This unit replaces Lie Groups, Lie Algebras and their Representations

Your learning on this unit

Students who are successful in this course will learn basic constructions and theorems of algebraic geometry. They will be able to compute certain algebraic invariants of geometric objects such as degree and dimension. They will understand the proofs of basic results in algebraic geometry. They will gain an appreciation of the interplay between algebra and geometry, and finally. they will be able to define toric varieties and read off certain algebro-geometric properties of toric varieties from combinatorial data.

Syllabus

  • Affine algebraic varieties
  • Ideals of varieties, irreducible decomposition, Hilbert's Nullstellensatz
  • Projective varieties
  • Geometry in projective space
  • Definitions of dimension and degree
  • Hilbert polynomials
  • Smoothness and tangent spaces
  • Toric and tropical geometry

How you will learn

There are 3 lecture per week and every other week one session is designed as a problem session. The course is based on the lectures and exercises. The basic lecture notes will be posted and solutions to most of the exercises will be distributed. The last 2 weeks of the course will be devoted to review and revision, and in this time exercises (both assigned and not assigned) will be addressed. Besides the problems classes, there is also a weekly office hour during which students can ask questions about lectures and exercises.

How you will be assessed

The pass mark for this unit is 50. The final mark is calculated as follows:

  • 80% from a 2-hour 30-minute exam
  • 20% from assigned homework questions

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MATHM0036).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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