This course is an introduction to algebraic and enumerative combinatorics. You will discover the beautiful interplay between algebra and combinatorics, learning how to apply algebraic techniques to solve enumeration problems, and how to use combinatorial methods to solve questions arising in other areas of mathematics. No prior knowledge of combinatorics is expected, but some familiarity with linear algebra and group theory is preferable.

Textbook

The textbook for this course is

• [St] Richard P. Stanley, Algebraic Combinatorics: Walks, Trees, Tableaux, and More, Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics, Springer, 2013.
  Available at Wheelock books, and also on reserve at Baker library. An online version of the book without the excercises is available here.
  

• [dM] Anna de Mier, Lecture notes for "Enumerative Combinatorics" , available here.
  

• [Aig] Martin Aigner, A Course in Enumeration, Graduate Texts in Mathematics 238, Springer, 2007.
  
• [EC1] [EC2] Richard P. Stanley, Enumerative Combinatorics, Vols. I and II, Cambridge University Press. An online version of Vol. I is available here.
  
• [Wf] Herb Wilf, Generatingfunctionology, Academic Press, 1990. Also available here.
  
• [FS] Flajolet, Sedgewick, Analytic Combinatorics. Available online at http://algo.inria.fr/flajolet/Publications/books.html.
  
• [vLW] J.H. van Lint, R.M. Wilson, A course in Combinatorics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1992.
  
• [BS] A. Björner, R. Stanley, A Combinatorial Miscellany, available here.
  

Scheduled Lectures

MWF 11:15 - 12:20

Kemeny 120

Instructor

Sergi Elizalde

Office: 332 Kemeny Hall

Office Hours: Mon 1:00-3:00, Wed 9:00-9:50

Email: first_name.last_name@dartmouth.edu

Exams and Grades

The course grade will be based on

• homework (40%),
• a final exam (30%),
• a student presentation (30%).

Homework Policy

• Homework will be assigned roughly every other week.
• Collaboration on the homework is encouraged, but the solutions must be written individually.
• Please mention on your problem set the names of the students that you worked with, and also reference any articles, books or websites if your solution takes significant ideas from them.

Disabilities and religious observances

Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need disability-related classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see their instructor as soon as possible. Also, they should stop by the Academic Skills Center in Collis Center to register for support services.
Some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this academic term. If you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please meet with me before the end of the second week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Last updated June 27, 2016 13:25:50 EDT