Polynomial Identity Rings

A ring R satisfies a polynomial identity if there is a polynomial f in noncommuting variables which vanishes under substitutions from R. For example, commutative rings satisfy the polynomial f(x, y) = xy - yx and exterior algebras satisfy the polynomial f(x, y, z) = (xy - yx)z - z(xy - yx). "Satisfying a polynomial identity" is often regarded as a generalization of commutativity. These lecture notes treat polynomial identity rings from both the combinatorial and structural points of view. The former studies the ideal of polynomial identities satisfied by a ring R. The latter studies the properties of rings which satisfy a polynomial identity.