This course will emphasize model theoretic algebra. We will consider the model theory of fields, including algebraically closed, real-closed, and p-adically closed fields; algebraically closed valued fields; and also general questions of definability in fields. As time permits, we will consider more recent applications of model theory in number theory and arithmetic geometry. Ideally, the student should understand what it means to be first-order definable and should have the equivalent of a year's study of abstract algebra. To study various applications, it will be necessary to assume certain results from the areas of application--that is, without proving them ab initio. |