Field theory -- dealing with number systems in which one can add, subtract, multiply and divide -- is often viewed as an area of pure algebra. But in fact, field theory draws much of its inspiration from geometry, by considering fields of functions on spaces. This talk will consider this connection, especially as it relates to symmetry.
Penn Undergraduate Mathematics Colloquium
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - 4:30pm
David Harbater
University of Pennsylvania