Algebraic Structures
4 credits
MWF 8:30-9:20am in Sci 217
Office hours in Sci 205: TBA
Blurb
An investigation of the properties of groups, rings, fields and vector spaces.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor, facility with vectors and matrices, several math courses
This course will be run as a tutorial.
About the text
You will need access to the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth edition of
Abstract Algebra by Gallian. The course will cover most of Chapters 0-18, as well as selections of 19-33 depending on time and student interest.
Grading
Your grade for the course will be determined as follows:
- Homework (25%) will be assigned weekly and handed in at the beginning of class on the due date. Given that the course is a tutorial, I will not choose problems for you. Instead, we will choose problems together during the meetings. I do not accept late homework (no exceptions!), but I will drop your two lowest homework grades.
- Participation (10%). Participation involves showing up on time, actively engaging in the class, and coming to class prepared.
- Group theory midterm (20%) Format and date to be decided. This exam will cover Parts 1 and 2 of Gallian.
- Ring theory midterm (20%) Format and date to be decided. This exam will cover Part 3 of Gallian.
- Final project (25%) will consist of a written portion and an oral presentation given during finals week. Each of you will choose a special topic from Part 5 of Gallian (or elsewhere, if you find something that interests you) and teach the rest of us about it.
If you need help
I have an open door policy. If you see me in my office and I am not with another student, then feel free to come in and ask questions. If you want to be sure you'll find me there, I will set up office hours after the first week of classes.
There will be tutoring hours in Sci 217, TBA.
Course etiquette
This course will be what we make of it. My expectation from you is that you will show up to class on time, ask questions when you have them, actively engage and participate in class, be respectful of myself and your peers, and work hard to learn the material. My promise to you is that I will work hard to present the material as clearly as I can, respond to questions as well as I can, give you helpful feedback as quickly as possible, and be available and approachable.
Academic Honesty
