A formula for the mod $p$ cohomology of $BPU(p)$

Abstract

We study the mod $p$ cohomology ring of the classifying space $BPU(p)$ of the projective unitary group $PU(p)$, when $p$ is an odd prime. We prove a mod $p$ formula analogous to a formula of Vistoli for the integral cohomology ring of $BPU(p)$. As an application, we give a simple topological proof of Vistoli's formula.