Course Description: Math 415. Modern Algebra I: 3.0 credits. A study of groups, rings, fields with emphasis on the theoretical aspects and proofs. We will cover most of Chapters I–IV of the text.
Prerequisites: Math 220.
Please make sure you are familiar with Section 0 of the text; this material is covered in Math 220, and is considered a prerequisite, so it will not be covered in class.
Learning Outcomes: Students will learn introductory topics in modern algebra: groups, subgroups, cosets, quotient groups, rings.
Required Text:
John Fraleigh, A first course in Abstract Algebra, 7th ed.
, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-76390-7.
Instructor: Laura Felicia Matusevich
Office: Blocker 513D
Email: laura@math.tamu.edu
Website: http://www.math.tamu.edu/˜laura
Office Hours (tentative) : MF 11:00 – 12:30 am.
Lecture 12:45 – 2:00 pm BLOC 121.
Course Grade: The course grade will be based on weekly homework, two midterm exams, and a take-home final. Collaborative work is allowed, indeed, encouraged, on Homework assignments, but each student must submit their own solution set, written in their own words.
No collaboration is allowed on Exams.
◦ Homework assignments: 30% ;
◦ Midterms: 20% each;
◦ Take-Home Final Exam: 30% ;

The usual cutoffs apply, namely more than 90% guarantees an A, more than 80% guarantees a B, more than 70% guarantees a C, and more than 60% guarantees a D.
Extra Credit: One problem in each homework set and exam will be considered extra credit .
Midterm I: Thursday October 2nd (in class).
Midterm II: Thursday November 6th (in class).
Final: Take Home Final.
Your Honors Mentor is Allyson Souris. She will hold Help Sessions on Thursdays 4:00–6:30pm and Mondays 6:00–8:30pm in Blocker 111.
Week 1 (Sept 2, 4): 4, 5.
Week 2 (Sept 9, 11): 1, 2, 3.
Week 3 (Sept 16, 18): 6, 7, 8.
Week 4 (Sept 23, 25): 9, 10.
Week 5 (Sept 30, Oct 2): Exam I
Week 6 (Oct 7, 9): 11, 12.
Week 7 (Oct 14, 16): 13, 14.
Week 8 (Oct 21, 23): 14, 15.
Week 9 (Oct 28, 30): 16, 17.
Week 10 (Nov 4, 6): Exam II
Week 11 (Nov 11, 13): 18, 19.
Week 12 (Nov 18, 20): 20, 21, 22.
Q-drop Nov 21
Week 13 (Nov 25, 27): 23.
Thanksgiving Nov 27
Week 14 (Dec 2, 4) 24, 25.

Attendance: Attendance of all lectures is required. Make-up work or deadline extensions will be given only in case of absences authorized under Student Rules: Attendance .
ADA Policy Statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of
Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Room B118 of the Cain Hall, call
845-1637, or email disability@tamu.edu
.
Copyright: All printed handouts and web-materials for this course are protected by US Copyright
Laws. No multiple copies can be made without written permission by the instructor.
Scholastic Honesty: Always abide by the Aggie Code of Honor: An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.
Please refer to Honor Council Rules and Procedures at http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu
for more information on academic integrity and scholastic dishonesty.
Contact Information: Course announcements may occasionally be made via e-mail (e.g. in case of a change to office hours or to clarify problems in homework sets). Students should regularly check their University-designated e-mail accounts.