Number Theory - MAT00076H
- Department: Mathematics
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
This is for postgraduate students only
Related modules
Additional information
MSc students should have taken a suitable first course in Pure Mathematics
Module will run
Occurrence | Teaching period |
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A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
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To deepen and broaden the study of number theory initiated in the “Introduction to Number Theory” course as part of Pure Mathematics/Pure Mathematics Option 1.
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To exhibit the unusually wide variety of methods and proofs which appear in number theory.
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To introduce an important modern application of number theory: cryptography.
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To give students the opportunity to tackle a range of number theoretic problems.
Module learning outcomes
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Understand and appreciate the unusually wide variety of methods and proofs which appear in number theory.
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Understand RSA encryption.
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Competently tackle a range of number theoretic problems.
Module content
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Arithmetical functions: Dirichlet series and Euler products.
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Sums of Squares: Waring’s problem.
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The elementary theory of the distribution of primes: Tchebychef's Theorem.
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Algebraic and transcendental numbers.
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Continued fractions.
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Quadratic forms.
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Diophantine equations.
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Ellipitic curves: Mordell-Weil Theorem.
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Cryptography: the RSA code.
Indicative assessment
Task | % of module mark |
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Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Special assessment rules
Pass/fail
Indicative reassessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Module feedback
Current Department policy on feedback is available in the undergraduate student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.
Indicative reading
H E Rose, A Course in Number Theory, Oxford University Press.