Hsio-Fu Tuan is a Chinese mathematician who has made important contributions to the theories of both finite groups and Lie groups. He has also had a great influence on the development of algebra, and particularly group theory in China. The present volume consists of a collection of essays on various aspects of group theory written by some of his former students and colleagues in honour of his eightieth birthday. The papers contain the main general results, as well as recent ones, on certain topics within this discipline. The chief editor, Zhe-Xian Wan, is a leading algebraist in China. Audience: This volume will be of interest to mathematicians specialising in group theory, graph theory, algebraic K-theory and Lie algebras, and those wishing to gain insight in the development and prospects of group theory in China.

A large portion of the book can be used as a textbook for graduate and upper level undergraduate students in mathematics, communication engineering, computer science and other fields. The remaining part can be used as references for specialists. Explicit construction and computation of finite fields are emphasized. In particular, the construction of irreducible polynomials and normal basis of finite field is included. A detailed treatment of optimal normal basis and Galoi's rings is included. It is the first time that the galois rings are in book form.

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