Higher-order degrees and obstructions on the fundamental group of algebraic curve complements

Constance Leidy

I will define and discuss higher-order degrees which are invariants of algebraiccurve complements. They are obtained from analyzing the module structure of the
homology of certain solvable covers. These obstruct which groups can be
realized as the fundamental group of a curve complement. I will also discuss
some examples of computations of higher-order degrees. (This work is joint with
Laurentiu Maxim.)