Contractible Theta Complexes of Graphs

Author

Chelsea Marian McAmis, University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleFollow

Date of Award

8-2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Mathematics

Major Professor

James Conant

Committee Members

Jerzy Dydak, Morwen Thistlethwaite

Abstract

We examine properties of graphs that result in the graph having a contractible theta complex. We classify such properties for tree graphs and graphs with one loop and we introduce examples of graphs with such properties for tree graphs and graphs with one or two loops. For more general graphs, we show that having a contractible theta complex is not an elusive property, and that any skeleton of a graph with at least three loops can be made to have a contractible theta complex by strategically adding vertices to its skeleton.

Recommended Citation

McAmis, Chelsea Marian, "Contractible Theta Complexes of Graphs. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2012.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/1275