Syllabus for Math 3354.

Survey of Algebra. Math 3354, Section 1. Fall 2016

TuTh 11-12:15 pm, Rouss 410.

Instructor: Mikhail Ershov
Office: Kerchoff 302
e-mail: ershov at virginia dot edu
Office hours: 3 hrs TBA and by APPOINTMENT
Course webpage: http://people.virginia.edu/~mve2x/3354_Fall2016

References:

required text: Abstract Algebra, third edition, John Beachy and William Blair
online notes: preliminary version available here

Course outline

This course introduces basic structures of modern algebra: groups, rings and fields. Approximately the first 4 weeks of the course will be devoted to elementary number-theoretic topics: greatest common divisor, unique factorization theorem, congruences etc. You should be familiar with many of these from high school, but we will study them at a more sophisticated level. The references for this part are Chapter 1 of the book and online lectures 1-9. The core part of the course (about 7 weeks) is concerned with group theory. The references for this part are Chapters 3 of Gilbert's book and online lectures 10-23. In the last 3-4 classes we will discuss selected topics from ring theory. The references for this part are Chapter 5 of the book and online lectures 24-26. I will assume familiarity with basic properties of sets and functions (the reference for this part is Section 2.1 of the book). You should read this material on your own in the first 2-3 weeks and ask me questions about unclear points.

A note on proofs. MATH 3354 is a proof-based course. Everything we discuss in class will be rigorously proved. More importantly, you are expected not only to understand proofs, but also to learn how to construct your own proofs and how to write proofs (so that others can understand your argument). It is not expected that you have taken a proof-based course before MATH 3354. However, MATH 3354 will not include any lectures devoted specifically to proof writing; instead you will be expected to develop this skill gradually as we progress through the material. If you feel that you need a more detailed introduction to proof writing, you should consider taking MATH 3000 (Transition to Higher Mathematics) before or concurrently with MATH 3354. MATH 3000 is offered this semester and will meet MWF 11-11:50am. An assessment exam will be administered at the beginning of the semester to help you make the decision about MATH 3000 .

A note on linear algebra. The only official prerequisite for this course is MATH 1320. However, you are strongly encouraged to take linear algebra (MATH 3351 or APMA 3080) before or concurrently with MATH 3354. The only formal linear algebra skill that will be needed in MATH 3354 is the ability to add and multiply matrices. However, some of the mateiral in MATH 3354 is based on the ideas, which also appear in linear algebra, but in less abstract setting. Thus, having taken linear algebra may help you better understand some of the topics in MATH 3354.

Preliminary schedule.

week	topics
Aug 23, 25	Introduction to algebraic structures. Mathematical induction.
Aug 30, Sep 1	Division Algorithm. Divisibility. Greatest Common Divisor.
Sep 6, 8	Unique factorization theorem. Congruences.
Sep 13, 15	Chinese Remainder Theorem. Congruence classes
Sep 20, 22	More on Congruences classes. Definition of a group.
Sep 27, 29	First midterm. Examples and basic properties of groups.
Oct 6	Subgroups.
Oct 11, 13	Orders of elements. Cyclic groups. Isomorphisms.
Oct 18, 20	Homomorphisms. Direct products. Classification of finite abelian groups.
Oct 25, 27	Permutation groups I. Lagrange Theorem and classification of groups of small order.
Nov 1, 3	Cosets and Normal subgroups.
Nov 8, 10	Permutations groups II. Second midterm.
Nov 15, 17	Quotient Groups.
Nov 22	Rings.
Nov 29, Dec 1	Ideals and Quotient rings.
Dec 6	More on quotient rings.

Evaluation

The course grade will be based on homework, two midterms and the final (all in-class), with weights distributed as follows:

homework: 15%
midterms: 20% each
final: 45%

Exams

The midterm dates given below are tentative and may be changed later. The date and time of the final exam is determined by the registrar and cannot be changed.

First midterm exam: Tue, Sep 27th
Second midterm exam: Thu, Nov 10th
Final exam: Mon, Dec 12th, 9am-12pm

Make-up policy

Make-ups will be given only under extreme circumstances (such as serious illness). Except for emergencies, you must obtain my permission for a make-up before the exam.
If you miss an in-class exam or fail to submit a take-home exam by the due date without a compelling reason, you will be assigned the score of 0 on that exam.
University regulations specifically prohibit early make-ups.

Homework

Homework will be assigned weekly and will usually be due on Thursdays.
Homework assignments must be submitted in class on the due date. If you are unable to attend a class, you should make prior arrangements for your homework to be turned in before the end of the class period, either in class or in my mailbox.
DO NOT slide your homework under my office door.
UNSTAPLED homework will not be accepted.
No late homework will be accepted. However, three lowest homework scores will be dropped.
GRADING: it will not be possible to grade all homework problems. In each assignment 3-4 selected (but not announced in advance) problems will be graded for credit.

Collaboration policy on homework.

You are welcome (and even encouraged) to work on homework together, but you must write up solutions independently, in your own words. In particular, you should not be consulting others during the process of writing down your solution .

Announcements

Major announcements will be made in class and also posted on the course webpage. Some other announcements may only be made by e-mail, so check your e-mail account regularly.

Add/drop/withdrawal dates:

Tuesday, September 6 -- Last day to ADD a course, elect the audit option, change the grading option (grade or CR/NC), or establish an independent study
Wednesday, September 7 -- Last day to DROP a course (deletion from the transcript)
Tuesday, October 18 -- Last day to withdraw from a course

Math Tutoring Center

Math Tutoring Center (MTC) will provide (free) tutoring for Math 3354 three times a week. The complete MTC schedule will be posted here at the beginning of the semester.

SDAC

All students with special needs requiring accommodations should present the appropriate paperwork from the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC). It is the student's responsibility to present this paperwork in a timely fashion and follow up with the instructor about the accommodations being offered. Accommodations for test-taking (e.g., extended time) should be arranged at least 5 business days before an exam.