November Lectures

Week of November 2-6

Nov 3: The number of irreducible polynomials (cont). Roots of irreducible polynomials.
Nov 5: Traces, norms and bases.

Week of November 9-13

Nov 10: Finding irreducible polynomials.
Nov 12: Finding irreducible polynomials (cont). Factorization of polynomials: distinct-degree factorization.
[A3 handed out.]

Week of November 16-20

Nov 17: Factorization of polynomials: distinct-degree factorization (cont), squarefree factorization and equal-degree factorization. [A2 handed in.]
Nov 19: Factorization of polynomials: equal-degree factorization (cont). Cyclic codes. Comments about Assignment 3.

Week of November 23-27

Nov 24: Generator polynomial and matrix. Minimal polynomials: definition and properties.
Nov 26: Properties of minimal polynomials. Computing minimal polynomials.

Week of November 30 - December 4

Dec 1: Computing minimal polynomials (cont). Hamming codes and 2-error-correcting BCH codes as examples of cyclic codes.
Dec 3: Designed distance and t-error-correcting BCH codes. Reed-Solomon codes. Course evaluations. Comments about the exam. [A3 handed in.]

Week of December 7

Dec 8: Oral presentations.

To October lectures.