Math 7752. Algebra-II. Syllabus

Algebra-II. Math 7752. Spring 2012.

TuTh 11am-12:15 pm, Kerchof 317.

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

Course outline

Prerequisites: Math 7751 and an undergraduate course in linear algebra comparable in level to UVA 5651.

Course content: The first third of the semester (about 5 weeks) will be devoted to modules and multilinear algebra. The material we will cover is mostly contained in Chapters 10-12 of Dummit and Foote. I will assume familiarity with the content of Sections 11.1-11.4 as they contain material covered in standard undergraduate linear algebra courses. Next we will study fields and Galois theory (about 5.5 weeks). The material we will cover is mostly discussed in Chapters 13-14 of Dummit and Foote, though the order of my exposition will be quite different and closer to Lang's book ``Algebra''. We will finish with a brief introduction to commutative algebra covering all or parts of (depending on time) Chapters 15 of Dummit and Foote.

Exams and homework: There will be weekly homework and three exams -- two midterms and the final. The dates and format of the exams will be announced by February 9th.

Evaluation:

Homework will be assigned weekly and will usually be due on Thursdays. Each assignment will contain 6-8 problems, and your lowest score (on each assignment) will be dropped. If we have mandatory problem sessions, part of your homework grade will be based on participation in those problems sessions.

Collaboration policy.