Time and Place : TueTh 12:50-2:10 pm; Harriman Hall 111

Instructor : Radu Laza

Office : Math Tower 4-121
Email :  rlaza@math.sunysb.edu
Class Homepage :   http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~rlaza/algebra09.htm

Office Hours: Tue 2:10-4; by appointment

Grader: Tsung-Yin Lin

Quick Links

• Schedule
• HW10 (due Dec 10)
• HW11 (due Dec 10)

Course Description

Textbook : Comtemporary Abstract Algebra , 7th edition, by Joseph A. Gallian.

This course introduces students to the key concepts of the modern (i.e. abstract) algebra. We will spend most of the semester discussing the concepts of group, ring and field (Parts 2-4 in the textbook) and the main results concerning those. Time permiting, we will cover also some of the special topics of Part 5 (the selection of topics will depend on the interest of the participants). The course is mostly self-contained, but due to the abstract nature of the material it requires some familiarity with math at college level.

Announcements

• Welcome! This is the main page for Abstract Algebra (Mat 313, Fall 2009).
• Please check frequently (about once a week) this webpage for HW assignments, schedule, and announcements.
• A tentative schedule (still subject to change) is given below.
• There is no class on Tuesday (Sept. 29th, Monday schedule).
• The first midterm will be in class on Oct. 8th (Thursday). To prepare for the midterm review the notes (including the textbook, but pay special attention to the examples discussed in class), the HW assignments, and the sample midterm (HW4). The material will cover most of the group chapters (with less emphasis on Ch 9 and 10, but including Ch 11). You should understand well the notion of order, cyclic group and abelian group (including structural results).
• We will have a review session on Oct 6.
• The final exam will be on Dec 10th in class (the usual time and place). The division is roughly 20% groups, 20% rings, 40% fields (Ch 19-22), and 20% cummulative questions. We will have a review on Dec 8th (in class). To prepare for the exam review Midterm 1, Midterm 2, and HW4, HW7, HW10, and HW11.
• Homework 11 is a make-up HW. You need to turn in only if you want to replace a missing HW or a low score. However, you should use it to review the material for fields.

Grading

• There will be 2 midterms (in class) and a final. There will be approximately 10 homework assignments.
• The exams count for 80% of the final grade. The division is roughly: 40% for the final and 20% for each midterm. The remaining 20% will be for the homework assignments.

Schedule

Return to Radu's Home Page
Return to Mathematics Home Page