MA 423-01: Modern Algebra I
Fall 2015
Section 1
Course Description:
Bulletin description:Elementary notions in groups, Fundamental Theorem of Finitely Generated Groups, permutation groups, quotient groups, isomorphism theorems, and applications of transformation groups.
More accurate description: Noetherian behavior, algebraic structures, isomorphism, subgroups and ideals, fundamental examples, applications.
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 three; the final includes an oral component) |
60% of total |
| Homework (problems may be graded randomly) |
40% 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.
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 in order to return it to you in timely fashion,
I might skip part of the entire assignment.
Nevertheless, it is important for you to understand every problem on the
assignment, so be sure to review the graded problems, try to fix what was
wrong, and ask me about any problem that wasn't graded, and which you did
not understand.
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.
Relevant wisdom from Calvin and Hobbes:
Image copyright Bill Watterson.
Usage is for educational purposes, and falls
under the principle of “fair use.”
Clicking on the image will take the reader to the source.
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: Wednesday 9 December 2015, 10⋅45-1⋅15p.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.
Schedule: You will find a very tentative schedule here.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: Last day to make an add/drop course request or withdraw from the University and receive a grade of W is 30 October, 2015.
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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 |