Resolutions and cohomology of finite dimensional algebras

The purpose of this thesis is to develop machinery for calculating Hochschild cohomology groups of certain finite dimensional algebras. So let A be a finite dimensional quotient of a path algebra. A method of modeling the enveloping algebra Ae of A on a computer is presented. Adding the extra hypothesis that A is a monomial algebra, we construct a minimal projective resolution of A over A e. The syzygies for this resolution exhibit an alternating behavior which is explained by the construction of a special sequence of paths from the quiver of A. Finally, a technique for calculating Hochschild cohomology groups from these resolutions is presented. An important application involving an invariant characterization for a certain class of monomial algebras is also included.