Math 7751. Algebra-I.

Algebra-I. Math 7751. Fall 2019.

11am-12:15 pm, Kerchof 326.

Instructor: Mikhail Ershov
Office: Kerchof 302
e-mail: ershov at virginia dot edu
Office hours: 3 hrs TBA and by APPOINTMENT
Course webpage: http://people.virginia.edu/~mve2x/7751_Fall2019

Main Text: Abstract Algebra, David Dummit and Richard Foote, 3rd edition.

Course outline

Course content:

Math 7751 is the first half of the standard graduate algebra sequence (the second half is Math 7752). We will study primarily group theory, ring theory and (time permitting) basic commutative algebra.

Prerequisites:

Undergraduate courses in linear algebra and abstract algebra comparable in level to UVA 4651 and 4652, respectively. For more details on your expected abstract algebra background consult the questionnaire distributed in class. Linear algebra material will not be seriously used until 7752, but a linear algebra assessment exam will be posted during the week before the fall semester. If you feel that your linear algebra preparation is not sufficient, you are strongly encouraged to review the main linear algebra topics before the spring semester begins.

Schedule:

The plan for the fall semester is to start with a very brief review of Chapters 1-3 (first 2 classes) and then cover Chapters 4-9 (some sections containing standard undergraduate material will be skipped or covered very briefly) and 15. Additional topics not covered by Dummit and Foote may be discussed, time permitting.

Exams and homework:

There will be weekly homework and three exams (two midterms and the final). The format of the exams has not been finalized yet, but the current plan is that the first-midterm and the final will be given in class while the second midterm will be take-home.

Exams

First midterm exam: Tue, October 1st.
Second midterm exam: Thu, November 7th.
Final exam: Mon, December 9th, 9am-12pm.

The time and date for the final exam are determined by the registrar and cannot be changed. The dates of the midterm exams are tentative at this point and may be slightly changed. In case of a take-home exam date means the due date.

Evaluation:

Final exam: 30%
Midterm exams: 20% each
Homework: 30%

Homework

Homework will be assigned weekly and will usually be due on Thursdays.
Please STAPLE your homework.
No late homework will be accepted. However, the lowest homework score will be dropped; in addition, the lowest score on each assignment will be dropped
GRADING: it may not be possible to grade all homework problems.

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.
On exams: you may not discuss exam problems with others.

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 10 -- 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 11 -- Last day to DROP a course (deletion from the transcript)
Tuesday, October 22 -- Last day to withdraw from a course

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.