Class time and location: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 1:25-2:15 EST via Zoom.
Office hours: Mon./Wed. 2:15-3 EST, and Mon. 10-11.
Text: "Foundations of Algebraic Geometry" by Ravi Vakil, available at this link
Prerequisites Algebraic geometry converts geometric problems into the language of commutative algebra. You should have a command of the basics of commutative rings and modules, such as prime/maximal ideals, localization, tensor products, Noetherian properties, etc.
Method of Instruction This course will be taught via remote engagement (i.e. online). All information about the course will be posted to Blackboard. There will be live lectures conducted via Zoom during the designated class time. These will be recorded and posted to Blackboard. Notes from these sessions in .pdf form will be posted as well. A class discussion forum will be hosted on Piazza, also accessible from Blackboard. Homework will be submitted via Gradescope.
Grading Your grade in the course will be based 70% on homework, and 30% on an oral exam held at the end.
Homework: The assigned homework problems for each day of lecture are listed at the bottom of this page.
Email address:
Matt Szczesny - szczesny AT math.bu.edu
Academic conduct:
Your work and conduct in this course are governed by the
CAS Academic
Conduct Code.
This code is designed to promote high standards of
academic honesty and integrity as well as fairness. A copy of the
code is available on the CAS website. It is your responsibility to
know and follow the provisions of the code.
In particular, all work
that you submit in this course must be your original work. If you
find information online for homework (from wikipedia for example), make sure to
cite whatever source you use. Any cases of suspected
academic misconduct will be referred to the CAS Student Academic
Conduct Committee.
I reserve the right to have a direct conversation with you regarding any solution you submit in this course:
Readings, homework, and quizzes:
| Assignment | Reading | Problems assigned |
| Homework 1 | Sections 2.1-2.3 | 2.1.A, 2.2.F, 2.2.H, 2.2.I |
| Homework 2 | Sections 2.3-2.4 | 2.3.A, 2.3.B, 2.3.I, 2.4.B |
| Homework 3 | Sections 2.4-3.2 | 2.4.C, 2.6.F, 3.2.E, 3.2.P |
| Homework 4 | Sections 3.2-3.7 | 3.4.J, 3.5.B, 3.5.E, 3.6.B |
| Homework 5 | Sections 4.1-4.4 | 4.1.D, 4.3.A, 4.3.C, 4.4.C |
| Homework 6 | Sections 5.1, 5.2, 6.1-6.4 | 5.1.E, 5.2.H, 5.2.I, 6.3.M |
| Homework 7 | Sections 5.3, 6.4, 7.1-7.3 | 6.4.D, 6.4.F, 7.2.A, 7.2.B |