For a non-constant polynomial map f: Cn?Cn-1 we consider the monodromy representation on the cohomology group of its generic fiber. The main result of the paper determines its dimension and provides a natural basis for it. This generalizes the corresponding results of [2] or [10], where the case n=2 is solved. As applications, we verify the Jacobian conjecture for (f,g) when the generic fiber of f is either rational or elliptic. These are generalizations of the corresponding results of [5], [7], [8], [11] and [12], where the case n=2 is treated.
