Introduction to Finite Fields and Their Applications

Focusing on the theory of finite fields, this book offers a comprehensive introduction that highlights its applications in combinatorics, coding theory, cryptology, and switching circuits. It is structured in two parts: the first covers fundamental concepts, while the second explores significant applications, especially in information theory and algebraic coding. With numerous worked examples and exercises, the text caters to advanced undergraduates and graduate students from various disciplines, making it accessible even to non-specialists interested in this vital area of modern algebra.