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MATH 752: Berstein
Seminar in Topology (Spring 2004)
Instructor:
Tara Brendle
Meeting
Time & Room
The Berstein Seminar this semester will cover various aspects
of braid groups and mapping class groups, with an emphasis on subgroups
and representations thereof. Some possible topics (among many) include
the Burau representation,the Lawrence-Krammer representation (both of
braid groups), centralizers in braid groups, pure braids, the symplectic
representation of the mapping class group and its kernel the Torelli group,
the Birman-Craggs homomorphisms, Johnson's homomorphism, representations
of mapping class groups arising from TQFTs (Topological Quantum Field
Theory), Nielsen-Thurston classification of braids and mapping classes,
and decision problems in braid groups.
Last modified:
October 23, 2003
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