Prof. Paul Gunnells, LGRT 1115L, 413–545–6009, gunnells at umass dot edu. The best way to contact me is by email. Please don’t leave a message on my office phone or through any other way; I won’t get it.
Office hours are by appointment.
Generating functions are a basic counting technique in combinatorics with many applications to different fields, including geometry, number theory, and representation theory. This course will be a fast-paced introduction to the subject with an emphasis on examples. Topics will include ordinary and exponential generating functions, rational generating functions, algebraic generating functions, Polya’s method, combinatorics of gaussian integrals and matrix models, and applications to counting graphs, hypergraphs, and maps on surfaces.
The class will consist of three hours of face-to-face lecture per week.
Math 611 or the consent of the instructor.
There is no required textbook.
Recommended supplementary texts are:
Richard Stanley, Enumerative Combinatorics, vols 1 and 2. Cambridge University Press.
Philippe Flajolet and Robert Sedgewick, Analytic Combinatorics, Cambridge University Press 2009.
Sergei K. Lando, Alexander K. Zvonkin, Graphs On Surfaces And Their Applications, Springer 2004.
Pavel Etingof, Lectures on Geometry and Quantum Field Theory.
There is no required software for the course, but it is recommended that you use software to explore material from the course. Our personal favorite is gp-pari, but of course you can use anything you like. More information about gp-pari, along with some sample code, can be found here.
The primary learning objective of this course is for students to learn the language of generating functions, The goal of the course is to prepare students to do research in mathematical disciplines which rely on generating functions as well as to prepare them for more advanced courses in combinatorics. Some specific learning objectives include:
Students will learn the language of generating functions.
Students will become familiar with basic examples and theorems, such as the exponential formula for generating functions.
Students will learn advanced applications of generating functions such as matrix models and counting graphs and maps on surfaces.
In addition, students will learn how to write an expository mathematics paper on an advanced topic.
In addition, despite their reputation, mathematics courses involve a large amount of very careful and detailed writing. Proof writing is a specialized writing skill, but at its core it is a form of persuasive technical writing.
The following schedule is tentative and may change according to the interests of the students.
Students will be expected to actively participate in the course by asking questions during lecture and discussing material with the instructor and their peers.
Together with the instructor, each student will pick a topic of interest to them that is related to the course material. The student will then prepare an expository paper of 5–10 pages on this topic. More information can be found here.
Attendance at all classes is expected. However, formal attendance will not be taken.
The final grade will be based on course participation (50%) and the final paper (50%). Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
| A | A– | B+ | B | B– | C+ | C | C– | D+ | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 87 | 83 | 79 | 75 | 71 | 67 | 63 | 59 | 55 | <55 |
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify me within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements. For further information, please visit the DS website.
Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University.
Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair.
Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent. The policy can be found here.
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational settings that receive federal funds, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students, free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation. This includes interactions in person or online through digital platforms and social media. Title IX also protects against discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. There are resources here on campus to support you. A summary of the available Title IX resources (confidential and non-confidential) can be found here. You do not need to make a formal report to access them. If you need immediate support, you are not alone. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year at the SASA Hotline 413–545–0800.