Level: BSc, MSci
Title: Projective planes
Supervisor:

Dr Alex Fink
Research Area: Algebra
Description:

Finite projective planes are simple to define and entirely combinatorial in nature, and yet there are wide gaps in our knowledge about their existence. There are a number of topics which are not covered in any of our courses but the material can be found without too much difficulty, such as the Bruck–Ryser theorem, the construction of finite non-Desarguesian planes, the relationship between configuration theorems and automorphisms, the connection with orthogonal Latin squares, and the connection with error-correcting codes which underlies the computer proof of the non-existence of a projective plane of order 10.
Further Reading:
  • D. Hughes and F. Piper, Projective Planes. Springer, New York, 1973.
Key Modules:

MTH6109 Combinatorics
Other Information:
Current Availability: Yes