Braid groups and mapping class groups

The braid group B_n is isomorphic to Mod(D_n), the mapping class group of a disk with n marked points. In this talk, we will discuss:

(i) braid groups, configuration spaces, and mapping class groups;

(ii) the Birman exact sequence;

(iii) examples and presentations of braids groups and spherical braid groups;

(iv) (if time permits) some results on the cohomology of braid groups.