Model theory investigates mathematical structures by means of formal languages. So-called first-order languages have proved particularly useful in this respect. This text introduces the model theory of first-order logic, avoiding syntactical issues not too relevant to model theory. In this spirit, the compactness theorem is proved via the algebraically useful ultrsproduct technique (rather than via the completeness theorem of first-order logic). This leads fairly quickly to algebraic applications, like Malcev's local theorems of group theory and, after a little more preparation, to Hilbert's Nullstellensatz of field theory. Steinitz dimension theory for field extensions is obtained as a special case of a much more general model-theoretic treatment of strongly minimal theories. There is a final chapter on the models of the first-order theory of the integers as an abelian group. Both these topics appear here for the first time in a textbook at the introductory level, and are used to give hints to further reading and to recent developments in the field, such as stability (or classification) theory.

Since their inception, the Perspectives in Logic and Lecture Notes in Logic series have published seminal works by leading logicians. Many of the original books in the series have been unavailable for years, but they are now in print once again. Stability theory was introduced and matured in the 1960s and 1970s. Today stability theory influences and is influenced by number theory, algebraic group theory, Riemann surfaces, and representation theory of modules. There is little model theory today that does not involve the methods of stability theory. In this volume, the fourth publication in the Perspectives in Logic series, Steven Buechler bridges the gap between a first-year graduate logic course and research papers in stability theory. The book prepares the student for research in any of today's branches of stability theory, and gives an introduction to classification theory with an exposition of Morley's Categoricity Theorem.

This book introduces first order stability theory, organized around the spectrum problem, with complete proofs of the Vaught conjecture for ω-stable theories.

This invaluable book is a collection of 31 important both inideas and results papers published by mathematical logicians inthe 20th Century. The papers have been selected by Professor Gerald ESacks. Some of the authors are Gdel, Kleene, Tarski, A Robinson, Kreisel, Cohen, Morley, Shelah, Hrushovski and Woodin.

Model theory is concerned with the notions of definition, interpretation and structure in a very general setting, and is applied to a wide range of other areas such as set theory, geometry, algebra and computer science. This book provides an integrated introduction to model theory for graduate students.