Algebra Seminar: McKinnie -- Essential dimension of generic symbols

Kelly McKinnie (University of Montana)

Friday 18 March, 12-1pm, Place: Carslaw 375 

Essential dimension of generic symbols

The essential dimension of an algebraic object is loosely defined as 
the minimal number of independent parameters needed to define the 
object over a base field. For example the essential dimension of the 
tensor product of  n generic symbol algebras (x_i,y_i) over C is 2n as 
expected. In this talk I will discuss generic symbols in both 
characteristics 0 and p and their essential dimensions.