MATH 433,  Applied Algebra
Summer 2013                

Instructor
: Igor Zelenko




Office: Milner 324
E-mail: zelenko AT math.tamu.edu (please include Math 433 in title)
Web page: /~zelenko/Sum 13M433.html
(check regularly for class announcements,  class notes, important information, etc.)
Office Hours of Igor Zelenko: Monday, Wednesday 10:30-11:30 a.m. , Wednesday  1:50-2:50 p.m. or by appointment (in Milner  324).
Class hours:   MTWRF 12:00 –1:35 PM BLOC 164
                    

                      

    MATH 433 web page:  The web page of the course is /~zelenko/Sum13M433.html
A short formal description of the course can be found in the departamental homepage http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math433/?termcode=201321

    Course Description:  This course is an introduction to the algebraic concepts of groups, rings, and fields, with an emphasis on modular arithmetic. Applications include topics in number theory and coding theory.

    Required texts:  The required textbook is Numbers, Groups & Codes, second edition, by J. F. Humphreys and M. Y. Prest, Cambridge University Press,
2004, ISBN 978-0-521-54050-6.

The course covers Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5; and other topics if time permits
  
Prerequisits:
The prerequisites for this course are Discrete Mathematics (either Math 220 or Math 302) and Linear Algebra (either Math 304 or Math 323).
   


    Weekly Schedule:
The (tentative) daily schedule is posted at /~zelenko/Sum12M433sch.html

    

Quizzes.

There will be a short quiz on most days.
Typically it will consist of 1 or 2 problems which will be slight modification of exercises from the textbook that I will mark for you a day or two before the quiz.  We will have about 15 quizzes, i.e. in the average we will have 2 quizzes in every 3 classes. The grades of the worst two quizzes will be dropped from the quizzes average.

Exams:
There will be two exams in class tentatively on June 17 (duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes) and July 5 (duration of 1 hour 35 minutes) . The registrar has reserved July 8 for final examinations for the first summer session, but this class will not have a final examination on that day.

Calculators will NOT be allowed on my  exams. Remember to bring your ID with you for all exams!

Grade Ingredients:
  • class quizzes 30%; 
  • first exam of 1 hours  35 minutes- 35%;
  • second exam of 1 hour 35 minutes - 35%

  • Letter Grades: A(90-100%), B(80-89%), C(70-79%), D(60-69%), F(0-59%)

      
     

    Class Announcements And E-Mail Policy: Class announcements will be posted on my homepage. It is your responsibility to check them before every class. Some important course announcements might be sent to your NEO e-mail account. It is your responsibility to check the NEO account and get familiar with the announcements. 

        Make-Up Policy: No make-ups will be given without written evidence of an official University excused absence. According to Section 7.3 of the University Student Rules, for an absence to be considered excused, the student must notify his or her instructor in writing (acknowledged e-mail message is
    acceptable) prior to the date of absence if such notification is feasible. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g. accident or emergency) the student must provide notification by the end of the second working day after the absence. This notification should include an explanation of why notice could not be sent prior to the class. If no such notice is given, the rights to a make-up are forfeited. In addition (and also in accordance with University Student Rules), a written excuse must be presented upon return to class. Specifically, in the case of illness or injury, students are required to obtain a confirmation note from a health care
    professional affirming date and time of a medical office visit regarding the illness or injury. I will NOT accept the Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class form as sufficient written documentation of an excused absence.  An absence for a non-acute medical service or regular check-up does not constitute an excused absence. It is the student's responsibility to contact his/her instructor to schedule a makeup!

      Grade Complaints: Sometimes the instructor or TA might make a mistake grading your work. If you feel that this has happened, you have one week since the graded work was handed back to you to talk to the instructor. If a mistake is confirmed, the grade will be changed. No complaints after that deadline will be considered.

      Late Work Policy: No late work will be accepted.

     
    Attendance is REQUIRED. I will take daily attendance. If you sign the roll sheet, you are expected to remain in the classroom for the entire 1 hour and 35 minutes. More than 3 absences may have a detrimental effect on your grade especially in borderline cases. Come to class on time.

        Electronic Device Policy: Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices must be silent and put away during class. If you are unable to comply with this policy, you will be asked to leave class.

        Class Etiquette: I expect that during class you stay focused on learning the mathematics being taught. You should not be reading a  newspaper or materials from another course, you should refrain from discussion not related to class and you should not leave class early unless you have cleared it with me first. If I feel you are being disruptive or disrespectful during class, you may be asked to leave.
     
        Scholastic Dishonesty:
    "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." Visit http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor and follow the rules of the Aggie Honor Code. Each student  is responsible for turning in their own unique work. During exams and quiz, you are not allowed to receive any kind of assistance from anyone. Any instance of scholastic dishonesty will be handled according to the processes outlined on the Honor Code website at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/Processes/reportingandadjudication.html .

         Getting Help: First, if you have a question, do not hesitate to ask before, after, or during a class. Second, I encourage you to attend my office hours to get individual help. You do not need an appointment to come to regular office hours. If your schedule does not permit you to come to the announced office hours, send me an e-mail with your schedule and we will make an appointment to meet at some other day/time.

       Students With Disabilities: 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 Services for Students with Disabilities (Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637).
        
        Copyright Policy:
    All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One copy (or download from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.


    Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. The instructor reserves the right to make any changes he considers academically advisable. It is your responsibility to attend classes and keep track of the proceedings.

    GOOD LUCK IN YOUR STUDIES!