This volume collects some of the survey lectures delivered at the Micro­ program on Noncommutative Rings held at MSRI, July 10-21, 1989. While the program was concerned with recent advances in ring theory, it also had as an important component lectures on related areas of mathematics where ring theory might be expected to have an impact. Thus, there are lectures of S. P. Smith on quantum groups and Marc Ri­ effel on algebraic aspects of quantum field theory. Martin Lorenz and Don­ ald Passman consider in their lectures various aspects of crossed products: homological and K-theoretic to group actions. Kenneth Brown presents the "modern" theory of Noetherian rings and localization. These contributions as well as the others not presented here show that ring theory remains a vigorous and useful area. The planning and organization of the program were done by the under­ signed and the late Robert Warfield. His illness prevented his attendance at the meeting. It is to him we dedicate this volume. The organizers wish to extend their thanks to Irving Kaplansky, Director of MSRI, and the staff for all of their efforts in making this conference such a success. Susan Montgomery Lance Small vii NONCOMMUTATIVE RINGS TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Vll . . . . . . . . . . K. A. Brown THE REPRESENTATION THEORY OF NOETHERIAN RINGS 1 A. Joseph SOME RING THEORETIC TECHNIQUES AND OPEN PROBLEMS IN ENVELOPING ALGEBRAS. . . . . . . . . . . 27 . . . M. Lorenz CROSSED PRODUCTS: CHARACTERS, CYCLIC HOMOLOGY, AND GROTHENDIECK GROUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 . . . . . .