‘18.745: Lie Groups and Lie Algebras I’

Table of contents

  1. Course Info
  2. Realistic Prerequisites
  3. Subject Matter
  4. Course Staff
  5. Lectures
  6. Problem Sets
  7. Exams
  8. Resources
  9. Grading
  10. Advice to Future Students

Course Info

Class Size 10
Hours/Week 9.8 (6 responses)
Instructors Victor Kac (Lecturer)
Overall Rating 5.5/7.0

Realistic Prerequisites

  • Students found that the class required a higher level of mathematical maturity than indicated by the stated prerequisites.

Subject Matter

  • Students found the subject to be very theoretical.
  • The course covered the structure theory of semisimple Lie algebras, as well as minor discussions of representation theory and references to physics.

Course Staff

  • Students found the course staff approachable.

Lectures

  • The lectures were organized, but not incredibly thorough.
  • The professor used problem sets as verifications of simple assertions from the lectures.

Problem Sets

  • Students with less algebra background found the problem sets challenging, while others found them to be more simple and straightforward.
  • Students found the problem sets important for understanding and appreciating the material.

Exams

  • The course had no exams.

Resources

  • The main resource was notes from the 2010 version of the class.

Grading

  • Students found the problem set grading to be harsh yet otherwise very fair.

Advice to Future Students

  1. “Look at the 2010 notes online to see if it’s for you.”
  2. “Good luck!.”