Mathematics Colloquium

SPEAKER: Prof. Jim Conant

TITLE: Homology of Aut(F_n)

ABSTRACT: We will outline recent beautiful developments in the theory of group homology. Although, the homology of a group is a classical construction, recent progress has shown it to be related to very modern mathematical developments such as quantum topology. Looking at one particular group, Aut(F_n), we show how algebraic spaces of decorated Feynman diagrams have been used to analyze its homology, showing it to be incredibly rich, with connections to modular forms.

Refreshments will be available at 3:15 p.m.