MATH 4412: Modern Algebra I Section: 8371 Fall 2010
12:30pm – 1:45pm, Monday and Wednesday in CWH 202
Instructor: Dr. Dongwen Qi
Office:
Crawford Wheatley Hall (CWH), Room 208
Office Phone: 229-931-7351
E-mail: qi@canes.gsw.edu
Office Hours (August 17, 2010-December 2, 2010) :
Monday, Wednesday: 1:50pm-3:20pm, Tuesday 9:00am-10:00am, and by appointment.
The office hours for the final(s) week are all by appointment.
Required Text:
Joseph A. Gallian, Contemporary Abstract Algebra. Sixth edition. Houghton Mifflin Company,
Boston, 2005.
Web Resources: Web resources for the text, which include Java applets and true/false questions
are available on the authors web site: www.d.umn.edu/~jgallian or at the publisher’s site:
www.college.hmco.com/.
Course Description: This course gives students an understanding of standard algebraic
structures: groups, rings, ideals and fields, and their relationship to models from number theory
and geometry.
Objective: To give students a working knowledge of the basic elements of modern abstract
algebra. Modern Algebra I focuses on group theory, and includes a review of elementary
number theory, and then introduces finite groups and subgroups, cyclic groups, permutation
groups, isomorphisms, cosets and Lagrange’s Theorem, external direct products, normal
subgroups and factor groups, group homomorphisms, and the fundamental theorem of finite
abelian groups. Modern Algebra II deals with other algebraic structures, including rings, ideals,
integral domains, fields, and more advanced topics in group theory (Sylow Theorems, Finite
Simple Groups), and an introduction to Galois theory.
General Information: To be successful in MATH 4412, you should have a
strong background in Discrete Mathematics 2. You must also attend class
regularly, devote sufficient time to study, reading the textbook, working
carefully on the homework and tests, and seeking help as the need arises.
Grading/Attendance: Students should attend all the classes. You are
responsible for all materials discussed in class even if you miss the
class.
There will be several homework assignments, with a total of 60 points. Late homework will not
be accepted.
There will be two take-home midterm tests (with each worth 40 points) and a comprehensive
take-home final exam (worth 60 points). There will be no make up tests.
A:90%-100%, B:80%-89%, C:70%-79%, D:60%-69%, F: below 59%
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I allow 3 absences. After the third absence, I deduct 3% of your final course grade points for
each additional absence.
There is NO extra credit work.
Academic Misconduct: Any violation of the GSW Policy on Academic Integrity
will be treated very seriously. Any form of unauthorized assistance (such as
notes, copying from another, etc) on graded work will result in a grade of
zero and a report to the Academic Dean. A second offense will result a grade
of F for the class and referral to the judicial system. You may find details
of this policy in the GSW Bulletin online:
http://www.gsw.edu/academics/bulletin/contents/reg.htm
Disabilities: A student requesting classroom accommodations or modifications due to a
documented disability must notify me within the first two weeks of the semester. If the
student has not already done so, he or she must contact the Office of Student Support
Services located in room 304 of Sanford Hall. The phone number is 229-931-2294.
The student's GSW e-mail account (Radar) is the official method of communication
between them and the university, and that it is crucial that all the students check their
accounts frequently.
Policy on cell phones:
Your cell phones should be OFF (or at least SILENT) during class. You are not to use it (for any
purpose) during class. If your cell phone rings (or makes any sound) even once or if I see you
using it (this includes ANY use of the device), you will be required to leave the class for the day.
If this happens during an exam, I will take your exam and you will leave the class for the day.
You will not be given a make-up exam. I will grade what you have completed. In fact, during
exams, you may not LOOK at your cell phone.
Last Day to Withdraw From Class Without Penalty: October 18, 2010
Please feel free to ask questions in class and to come by my office when you
need extra help. My office hours are for you. Make use of them. If you want
to see me at other times, let me know.
NOTE: For privacy and security reasons, I cannot discuss grades over the
phone or through email. Please bring questions about grades to me in person.
At the end of the semester, I will submit your grades electronically, and
they will be available through R.A.I.N.
A tentative schedule of lectures and exams is attached. We will
try to adhere to the schedule, but please remember that we are
here to learn, not to rush.
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Tentative Lecture and Test Schedule
Note: For the Fall Semester 2010, the University will operate a Monday class schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 23rd.
This is done to equalize the class minutes between MW and TTH classes.
Week 1
8/18, Ch.0, Preliminaries
Week 2
8/23, Ch.0
8/25, Ch.1, Introduction to Groups
Week 3
8/30, Ch.1, Ch.2, Groups
9/1, Ch.2
Week 4
9/6, Class Will Not Meet
9/8, Ch.3, Finite Groups; Subgroups
Week 5
9/13, Ch.3
9/15, Ch.4, Cyclic Groups
Week 6
9/20, Ch.4
9/22, Ch.5, Permutation Groups
Week 7
9/27, Ch. 5, Test 1 (Ch.0-5) distributed
9/29, Ch. 5
Week 8
10/4, Test 1 due, Ch.6, Isomorphisms
10/6, Ch.6
Week 9
10/11, Ch.6, Ch.7, Cosets and Lagrange’s Theorem
10/13, Ch.7
Week 10
10/18 Ch.7, Ch.8, Extended Direct Products
10/20 Ch.8
Week 11
10/25, Ch.8, Test 2 (Ch.5-8) distributed
10/27, Ch.8, Ch.9, Normal Subgroups and Factor Groups
Week 12
11/1, Ch.9, Test 2 due
11/3, Ch.9
Week 13
11/8, Ch.9, Ch.10, Group Homomorphisms
11/10, Ch.10
Week 14
11/15, Ch.10
11/17, Ch.11, Fundamental Theorem of Finite Abelian Groups
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Week 15
11/22, Ch.11
11/23, Ch.11 (Monday Class Schedule)
Week 16
11/29, Review, Take-home final distributed
12/1, Review, Discussion of what is in Modern Algebra II
Final Exam: The take-home final exam is due in my office Monday, December 6, 2010,
2:30pm-3:00pm.
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