MA 421-01: Number Theory

Summer 2015

Section 1

by the end of the class, you will know what this is!

Instructor: John Perry
Office in Hattiesburg: Southern Hall, 317C
Office in Long Beach: Hardy Hall, 339 (the name tag says “George Lange, JD” but that’s only in the evenings)
Office Hours: MW 9-10a in Hattiesburg; TTh 9-10a in Long Beach — others by appointment (and I am very flexible)
Office Phone: 601⋅266⋅5505
Email: john.perry@usm.edu
Instructor’s web page: http://www.math.usm.edu/perry/
Class web page: http://www.math.usm.edu/perry/mat421sm15/
Class meeting time and location: 10·20a-12·30p MW, SH 303

Text: A Friendly Introduction to Number Theory, by Joseph H. Silverman, published by Pearson, 2013 (fourth exition), ISBN 978-0-321-81619-1.

Other recommended texts:

Course Description: Induction, well-ordering, division algorithm, Euclidean algorithm, Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, number theoretic functions and congruences.

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 40% of total
Homework 40% of total
Reading quizzes
10% of total
Participation
10% of total

Participation points: To earn the full credit for participation in this class, 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,

  1. presenting the solution to a homework problem at the board;
  2. asking a good question;
  3. giving an especially insightful answer to a question I pose, even if wrong.
Other opportunities will present themselves throughout the semester.

Graduate students: In addition to taking the same tests that undergraduate students must take, you must also read a paper on a topic of number theory from a journal, and write a one-page summary of the paper. Most research-grade articles in Number Theory are of course above your level, but very accessible articles can be found in MAA journals such as the College Math Journal, Math Magazine, and the Mathematical Monthly. We will discuss this in detail once you’ve actually learned some number theory.

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.

Final Exam Date: Tuesday 28 July 2015, 8-10⋅30a.

Other policies

Additional class materials:

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 and receive a grade no lower than W is 15 July 2015.

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.

Address:

The University of Southern Mississippi
Office for Disability Accommodations
118 College Drive # 8586
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Voice Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232

Fax: (601) 266-6035
Individuals with hearing impairments can contact

ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service
at 1-800-582-2233 (TTY) or
email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu.