Math 502 Abstract Algebra-Fall 2015
MWF 1-2 pm, DRL 4C2
Instructor: Dr. Zachary Scherr
Email: zscherr(at)math(dot)upenn(dot)edu
Office: DRL 4N63
Office Hours: TBD
TA: Jinshuo Dong
Email: jinshuo(at)sas(dot)upenn(dot)edu
Office: DRL 1N1 - C7 Office Hours: TBD
Course Website: Our course website can be found at
http://www.math.upenn.edu/~zscherr/Math502Fa15
I will also use Canvas for posting grades and announcements.
Text: Dummit and Foote Abstract Algebra, third ed.
Course Description: We will more or less cover chapters 0-6 of Dummit
and Foote, corresponding to group theory. If time permits, we will also learn
the rudiments of abstract vector spaces and linear algebra.
Grading: Grades will be determined based on weekly homeworks and two
exams. The breakdown is
• Homework: 60%
• Exam 1: 20%
• Exam 2: 20%
and the important dates are
• Exam 1: Monday October 21 - in class
• Exam 2: Take Home. (Date: TBA)
As this is an upper level math class, I do not intend to give any grade lower
than a B- to students who complete all assignments (I plan on giving mostly
A’s). It will be very important to start early on homeworks and to come to
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office hours if you are struggling.
Academic Integrity: Don’t cheat. I encourage people to work together on
all homework assignments, especially since for many of you this will be the
first math class you take which has conceptual/proof-based problems. If you
do work with others, you should still submit your own solutions in your own
words.
Students with Disabilities: If you require special assistance, please contact SDS at http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/sds/.
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