Computing in Algebraic Geometry

Wolfram Decker is professor of mathematics at the Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Germany. His fields of interest are algebraic geometry and computer algebra. From 1996-2004, he was the responsible overall organizer of the schools and conferences of two European networks in algebraic geometry, EuroProj and EAGER. He himself gave courses in a number of international schools on computer algebra methods in algebraic geometry, with theoretical and practical sessions: Zürich (Switzerland, 1994), Cortona (Italy, 1995), Nordfjordeid (Norway, 1999), Roma (Italy, 2001), Villa Hermosa (Mexico, 2002), Allahabad (India, 2003), Torino (Italy, 2004). He has managed several successful projects in computer algebra, involving undergraduate and graduate students, thus making contributions to two major computer algebra systems for algebraic geometers, SINGULAR and MACAULAY II.

Introductory Remarks on Computer Algebra.- Basic Notations and Ideas: A Historical Account.- Basic Computational Problems and Their Solution.- An Introduction to SINGULAR.- Practical Session I.- Practical Session II.- Constructive Module Theory and Homological Algebra I.- Homological Algebra II.- Practical Session III.- Solving Systems of Polynomial Equations.- Primary Decomposition and Normalization.- Practical Session IV.- Algorithms for Invariant Theory.- Computing in Local Rings.- Practical Session V.

From the reviews:

"Algebraic geometry generally studies the properties of solution sets of systems of polynomial equations without direct reference to the actual polynomials used in these systems. ... This is especially desirable for classwork where the development of the abstract machinery generally outlasts the patience of the students, except possibly the most motivated ones. ... However, the book can ... be used in an introductory algebraic geometry course where the students will have the advantage of experimenting with examples as their knowledge grows." (A. Sinan Sertöz, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2007 b)