Anna B Romanowska

This book is an introduction to the theory and application of modes — structures that capture the common underlying algebra of convex sets, affine spaces and certain ordered sets. Modes appear in many branches of mathematics, particularly geometry and combinatorics, and have been used in computer science, economics, physics, and biology. The initial stage of the theory was set out in the authors' research monograph Modal Theory (published in 1985). The present book provides a more complete theory, the result of research conducted during the subsequent 15 years. It contains a clear introduction to selected topics from universal algebra, category theory and model theory, and the foundations of the theory of modes, as well as more advanced topics leading to the forefront of current research in the field.The authors have included a wide range of exercises, usually placed at the end of the section, and indexed alphabetically. Some exercises are simply designed to familiarize readers with the notation and concepts. Others are more difficult, extending the content of the sections in which they appear, and providing a foretaste of further research.

Advanced algebra in the service of contemporary mathematical research— a unique introduction. This volume takes an altogether new approach to advanced algebra. Its intriguing title, inspired by the term postmodernism, denotes a departure from van der Waerden's Modern Algebra—a book that has dominated the field for nearly seventy years. Post-Modern Algebra offers a truly up-to-date alternative to the standard approach, explaining topics from an applications-based perspective rather than by abstract principles alone. The book broadens the field of study to include algebraic structures and methods used in current and emerging mathematical research, and describes the powerful yet subtle techniques of universal algebra and category theory. Classical algebraic areas of groups, rings, fields, and vector spaces are bolstered by such topics as ordered sets, monoids, monoid actions, quasigroups, loops, lattices, Boolean algebras, categories, and Heyting algebras. The text features: *A clear and concise treatment at an introductory level, tested in university courses. *A wealth of exercises illustrating concepts and their practical application. *Effective techniques for solving research problems in the real world. *Flexibility of presentation, making it easy to tailor material to specific needs. *Help with elementary proofs and algebraic notations for students of varying abilities. Post-Modern Algebra is an excellent primary or supplementary text for graduate-level algebra courses. It is also an extremely useful resource for professionals and researchers in many areas who must tackle abstract, linear, or universal algebra in the course of their work.