M3211 - Modern Algebra I - 2014

Dr. R. Rosebrugh
Dunn 203

General Information

The course meeting time is 8:30-9:20MWF in Dunn 406. Help with assignments or projects is available other times by appointment; contact the instructor by email. For official detail see the University Calendar. The prerequisites for this course are Math 2211, Math 2221.

Check this URL regularly for information about the course.

Text

Contemporary Abstract Algebra, by Gallian (link is to Amazon, also try AbeBooks). We will cover Chapters 1-11 and selected material on rings. There are some possibly useful resources at http://www.d.umn.edu/~jgallian/.

Tests/Exam

The midterm test will be held in class on October 20. The final examination will be two hours long (but you will have three hours to write it.)

Grades

The final grade will be based on the assignments, the mid-term test and a final examination. The weights will be approximately 20%, 20% and 60% respectively.

Note: In order to pass the course:

Assignments

There will be one-question short assignments at least twice a week to be handed in and taken up at the next class. There will be several longer written assignments, every two to three weeks. Late assignments not accepted. All assignments are an essential part of the course. All written work handed in must be typeset using LaTeX. A tutorial will be provided. Be sure to attempt all problems in the text, not just the ones assigned to be handed in.

Assignment 1

Questions from the textbook: Ch 0: 28, 62 Ch 1: 6, 10, 16 Ch 2: 4, 10,16
Always attempt the other problems. Answers to odd-numbered problems are sketched in the text.
Due Wednesday, September 17

Assignment 2

Questions from the textbook: Ch 2: 52 Ch 3: 16, 24, 40 b,c,d, 54, 74 Ch 4: 14, 28
Due Wednesday, October 1
Always attempt the other problems.

Assignment 3

From the text: Ch 4: 36, 52, 70; Ch 5: 18, 24, 50, 66, 70
Due Wednesday, October 15
Always attempt the other problems.

Assignment 4

Questions from the textbook: Ch 6: 10, 20, 28, 36, 60 Ch 7: 10, 18, 26
Due Friday, October 31

Assignment 5

Responding to your feedback, the last two assignments will be slightly shorter, and additional recommended problems will be listed.

Questions from the textbook: Ch 8: 72, 86 Ch 9: 8, 32, 58, 62
Due Friday, November 14

Additonal recommended problems: Ch 8: 44, 48, 58, 68, 84 Ch 9: 6, 10, 30, 46, 56, 78
**Problems with solutions in the text are fair game for the exam.**

Assignment 6

Questions from the textbook: Ch 9: 64, 76 Ch 10: 30, 58 Ch 11: 12, 36
Due Friday, November 28

Additonal recommended problems: Ch 10: 6, 10, 16, 28, 42, 50, 66 Ch 11: 8, 10, 16, 28, 30

Always attempt the other problems.