Math 415(Section 502) -- Fall 2008

Modern Algebra 1

MWF 10:20-11:10
CE 136

/~myoung/classes/415fall2008.html


Course Description:


This is a course in abstract algebra.   Topics we will cover this semester corresponds roughly to the first half of the textbook, including
  • Groups and permutations
  • Cosets, homomorphisms, quotient groups
  • Group actions
  • Rings and fields
  • Polynomials
  • Ideals and quotient rings
  • Further applications

Course Information:


Instructor: Dr. Matthew Young


Office Hours: Monday 11:15-12:15, 3:00-4:00 and Friday 9:00-10:00.





Office: 225 Milner


E-mail: myoung (at) math dot tamu d0t edu





Textbook: The required textbook is A First Course In Abstract Algebra (7th edition), by John Fraleigh, Addison Wesley, 2003.





Course Syllabus: The course covers approximately (but is not restricted to) chapters 1-5 of the text.





Computational Aids: None will be necessary, and calculators will not be allowed during exams.





Prerequisites: Math 323. The course will, however, be mostly self-contained.





Course Webpage: /~myoung/classes/415fall2008.html

Exam Schedule:


There will be 2 in-class exams during the semester, as well as a cumulative final exam. The dates and times are listed below.


Exam 1

Exam 2

Final Exam

Date/Time

Friday, September 26, in class

Wednesday, October 29, in class

Tuesday, December 9, 8:00-10:00 AM

Location

CE 136

CE 136


Grading:


Your final grade will be determined by the total number of points obtained on exams and homework. Out of 450 total points, each component contributes to your grade as follows:

Component

Points

Homework

100

Exam 1

100

Exam 2

100

Final Exam

150


The following grade distribution will be used in determining final course grades:

Grade

Percentage of Total Points

A

90.0%-100.0%

B

80.0%-89.9%

C

70.0%-79.9%

D

60.0%-69.9%

F

0.0%-59.9%

Homework:


Homework will be collected once per week for a grade. Homework assignments will be posted on this web page, so check back frequently!




Course Policies:


Missed Work: Making up missed work (including missed exams, quizzes, and homework) will be arranged according to University policies only. A university approved excuse must be provided to the instructor in writing (e-mail is sufficient) within 1 working day for exams and within 2 working days for other work.





Academic Dishonesty:

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”

It is not permissible to hand in the work of others for a grade, including work on exams, quizzes, and homework. You are allowed to discuss homework with others, but your write-ups are expected to be done on your own and in your own words. Copying the work of others will be prosecuted to the full extent possible under University policies.

Cheating during an exam will be sanctioned by assigning 0 points on the exam. Further action will be taken in agreement with Texas A&M University Student Rules on Academic Honesty and the Aggie Honor System Code.





Disability Assistance:

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 the Department of Student Life, Disability Services Office, in Room B118 of Cain Hall or call 845-1637. Their website is http://disability.tamu.edu/. If you believe you have a disability requiring accomodation, you should contact this office several weeks in advance of an exam or assignment.

Copyright information: All printed handouts and web-materials are protected by US Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made without written permission by the instructor.
Contact information: Course announcements may occasionally be made via e-mail (e.g. in case of a change to office hours or to correct potential errors in homework problem sets).  Students should regularly check their Neo e-mail accounts.

Page maintained by Matt Young, Dept. of Mathematics, Texas A&M University.