Symmetry

Fundamental in biology, chemistry, physics, and art, the notion of symmetry pervades all human experience. After reviewing different scientific and artistic manifestations of symmetry, this course will undertake a systematic mathematical study of symmetry in both a geometric and an algebraic context.

The culminating subject of inquiry will be the study of roots of polynomial equations following Galois. Prerequisites for this course will be kept to a minimum while at the same time the focus on symmetry should provide a new perspective for those who have already studied abstract algebra in depth.

For those wishing to get a sense of some of the material to be studied, the book Symmetry by Hermann Weyl is a good starting place

Michael Nakamaye

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