9311884 Seligman This project supports research in algebra. One of the principal investigators will work on the realization of finite groups as Galois groups of extensions of specified fields. The other principal investigator will study the internal structure of simple Lie algebras in prime charateristic, where the ground field is assumed algebraically closed and over general fields of characteristic zero. The majority of the support is for graduate students working with the principal investigators. This award supports research in two areas of algebra -- finite group theory and the theory of Lie algebras. A group is an algebraic object with a single operation defined on it. It has important applications in mathematics, chemistry, computer science and physics. Lie algebras arise from another object called a Lie group. An example of a Lie group is the rotations of a sphere where one rotation is followed by another. Lie groups and Lie algebras are important in areas involving analysis of spherical motion. ***
