MA 423-01: Modern Algebra I
Fall 2013
Section 1
Course Description: Elementary notions in groups, Fundamental Theorem of Finitely Generated Groups, permutation groups, quotient groups, isomorphism theorems, and applications of transformation groups, and monoids.
Prerequisite: MAT 326 (Linear Algebra I) and MAT 340 (Discrete Mathematics). These prerequisites constitute necessary preparation for the course; if you lack either you are at a tremendous disadvantage.
Grading: The semester grade will be determined by a weighted average, according to the weights listed below.
| Tests (there will be two; the final includes an oral component) |
60% of total |
| Homework (problems are graded randomly) |
30% of total |
| Participation |
10% of total |
Graduate students enrolled in MAT 523 must also perform an independent research project. They must find an article in College Math Journal, Math Magazine, or a similar scholarly journal, read it, and write a brief summary of the article. The article must be related to the concepts of abstract algebra that we study in this class: namely, monoids, groups, isomorphisms, permutations. Please check with me that the article is appropriate before getting too far into this. This counts as a test grade.
Participation points: To earn the full credit for participation in this classe, you must earn 100 points. Earning fewer than 100 points will be pro-rated: so, earning only 76 points earns you 76% of the grade, which means that your final grade is penalized 2.4%. You earn participation points by doing certain things in class; for example,
The Major Field Test: In 2010, the mathematics department voted to make the Major Field Test in mathematics a component of MAT 423. You will receive a grade for this test. We will discuss the details later in the semester.
Late Assignments: Any assignment turned in past the specified due date and time will receive a grade lowered by ten percent for each school day late.
Makeup work: I do not give makeup tests/quizzes/etc. without an excused absence. If you must miss class, then you must also produce documentation of the reason for your absence. If you were sick, you can show me the receipt from the hospital or doctor; if you had a sports event, you can show me the schedule; if someone died, you can show me an obituary notice; if the tire on your car blew out, you can show me the receipt from the mechanic.
Homework:
I generally collect the homework for
grading, but I will grade only a few random problems, not the entire
assignment. It is important for you to understand every problem on the
assignment, and I will provide some homework solutions to help
you study.
Important note on homework:
Many math majors see the purpose of homework as a "verification"
that they have learned the material that was presented in class, or as "practice".
This course is different: the homework is neither verification nor practice, but exploration.
It is an extension of the class lectures. It is not unusual for a one-line
question to take an hour or two, or even more, where you spend most of
the time trying to figure out where
to start! It is vitally important that you struggle with
the problems, consult other students and the professor, and generally
consider finding the solutions more important than pretty much anything
else.
A word about tests: Tests will consist of problems that you have not seen in class or in the homework. You should be able to solve them based on what you learned in the course. A good study guide for your tests will consist of (1) reviewing the homework and making sure you understand it, and (2) studying additional problems in each chapter.
Tutoring and study groups: I encourage you to work together on homework assignments, to look at each other's solutions, and to explain answers to each other. This is not the same thing as copying each other's homework.
Final Exam Date:Thursday 12 December 2013, 1⋅30-4p.
The exam has two parts: a written, in-class section and an oral section. You must schedule an appointment during the week prior to the exam in order to take the oral section.
Language and behavior: I do not tolerate profanity or rude behavior. You are free to express any opinion you choose, but you must do so in a manner that conforms to the formal, respectful setting of a classroom lecture. Mathematicians value the ability to reason and to solve problems, not the ability to inflame passions or to express oneself colorfully.
Mobile phones: I expect you to turn your phone off once class begins, and to leave it off. If you absolutely must use the phone, please step out of class, take care of business, then return. If you use the phone in the class, I will ask you to leave. If you do not comply with this request, you will forfeit the next test. If you use the phone during a test, even as a calculator, you will forfeit the test.
Note: The last day to drop a full-semester course without academic penalty is Wednesday, 3 October.
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ADA Syllabus Statement If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies.
The University of
Southern Mississippi |