MATH 415 – Section 502

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of Groups, Rings and Fields, with an emphasis on the theoretical aspects and proofs. Prerequisites: Math 220 and Math 304 or Math 323.


Instructor: Dr. Eric Rowell. email: rowell@math.tamu.edu, webpage: www.math.tamu.edu/~rowell. Office BLOC 510B

Place and Time: This course meets TR 12:45-2:00pm in  BLOC 161.

 Office hours:  W 1:30-2:30pm (or by appointment).

Course Objectives: 1. Develop a deep understanding of the theory of groups, rings and fields. 2. Write and understand proofs on these topics. 3. Familiarity with the main examples of groups, rings and fields, and the skills to explore their properties.

Text: Fraleigh, A first course in Abstact Algebra, 7th edition.

Material Covered/Syllabus: (tentative) Sections 1-24, except section 12.  We may not cover these sections in order.

Grading: Your grade will be based upon 2 Midterms (25pts each), Homework (10pts), quizzes (15pts) and a final exam (25pts) for a total of 100 points. The grading scale is the usual one: 90-100% A, 80-89 % B, 70-79% C, 60-69 % D, 0-59% F.   Dates of exams/assignments will be posted below. 


Quizzes:  Every Tuesday there will be either a short quiz, typically based on the previous week's homework. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.  Quizzes account for 15/100 of your grade.

Homework: Weekly homework sets will be turned in to be graded. Typically homework will be assigned on Thursdays and due the following Thursday.  As writing proofs takes considerable practice, the homework sets will likely be quite time-consuming. Your lowest homework score will be dropped. Late homeworks count as a 0, and may or may not be graded. Homework is to be done individually and be your own work.  Homework counts as 10pts, and will be posted below.

Exams: There are two midterm exams, one Thursday Oct. 2 and the other on Tuesday Nov. 4.  These are worth 25pts each. Calculators are not allowed (or needed) on the exams. The (cumulative) final exam will take place in the usual classroom on Wednesday December 17 from 8am-10am and is worth 25 points.

Course Policies: Late homework and make-ups for missed exams will only be allowed for a university approved excuse in writing. Wherever possible, students should inform the instructor before an exam is missed. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the next working day after missing an exam. Otherwise, they forfeit the right to a make-up.

An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. Copying work that was done by others is an act of scholastic dishonesty and any instance of it will be prosecuted according to University Student Rules.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.

Copyright Policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One photocopy (or printout from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.


Important Announcements:


    Key Dates (tentative):


Homework Assignments/Syllabus (tentative)