The Polynomial Method

A tutorial in the Polynomial Method for students who have completed work in Abstract Algebra and at least one of Combinatorics, Graph Theory, and Number Theory. We will study Noga Alon’s Combinatorial Nullstellensatz and related theorems, along with their applications to combinatorics, graph theory, number theory, and incidence geometry. Working independently and in small groups, students will gain experience reading advanced sources and communicating their insights in expository writing and oral presentations. Fulfills the capstone senior work requirement for the mathematics major. (Approval required; MATH 0302 and one of the following: MATH 0241, MATH 0247, or MATH 0345).