MATH 842: Algebraic number theory

In this course we develop the tools to properly understand unique factorization and its failure. We establish fundamental results such as Dirichlet's Unit theorem and the finiteness of the ideal class group. We highlight the applicability of the algebraic tools we develop to both algebraic numbers and to algebraic curves. Depending on time and interests of the participants, we will also look into various applications and more advanced topics.

Possible topics:

• Dedekind domains: ideals, fractional ideals, ideal factorization, and ideal class groups
• Lattices and Minkowski Theory.
• Dirichlet's Unit theorem
• Finiteness of class groups
• Ramification theory; interaction with Galois groups
• Cyclotomic fields
• Completions and valuations
• Adelic approaches
• Absolute Galois groups; profinite groups
• Group cohomology; Galois cohomology

• Quite algebraic and very careful exposition, including lots of detail in proofs:
  Ribenboim, Paulo,
  Classical theory of algebraic numbers.
  Universitext. Springer-Verlag, New York, 2001. xxiv+681 pp. ISBN: 0-387-95070-2
• Very compact in its exposition, but still complete. Probably one of the slickest presentations available:
  Neukirch, Jürgen,
  Algebraic number theory.
  Grundlehren der Mathematischen Wissenschaften 322. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999. xviii+571 pp. ISBN: 3-540-65399-6
• Quite complete in its coverage of theory but also paying attention to the computational side of things:
  Stein, William
  Algebraic Number Theory, a Computational Approach.
  available from: https://wstein.org/books/ant/. (local copy)