Spring 2012 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 8012.002

Course: Mathematics 8012.002.
Course Title: Abstract Algebra II.
Time: MW 9:00-10:20am.
Place: Wachman Hall CC 617.
Instructor: Lorenz, Martin W.
Instructor Office: Wachman Hall CC 528.
Instructor Email: martin.lorenz@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-5013.
Office Hours: MW 10:30-12:00 or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math 8011 or permission of instructor.
Textbook: Dummit & Foote: Abstract Algebra, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
Course Goals: This course, the second part of a two-semester sequence, gives an introduction to the terminology and methods of modern abstract algebra. It covers the topics in algebra that are part of every working mathematician's bag of tools.
Topics Covered: The initial focus in the second semester will be on fields and Galois theory. We will begin by covering the essential content of Chapters 13 and 14 of the textbook. Afterwards, we will turn to the theory of rings. Material to be covered includes Chapter 12 and a selection of topics from Chapters 15-17.
Course Grading: The final exam score and the total score from all homeworks will each count for 40% of your grade. The midterm exam will count as 20% of your grade.
Exam Dates: There will be two exams, a Midterm Exam on Wednesday, March 21, 9:00-11:00am, and a comprehensive Final Exam on Monday, May 7, 8:00-10:00am. Both exams will be given in Room CC 617.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will not be monitored, but you are strongly encouraged to attend class regularly and to take complete class notes.
Homework: Homework will be assigned and collected approximately weekly. You may work together on the assignments, but I expect everybody to write up their own solutions; obvious copies will not be accepted. The writing component is an essential part of this course.

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.

Students will be charged for a course unless a withdrawal form is processed by a registration office of the University by the Drop/Add deadline date given below. For this semester, the crucial dates are as follows:

• The first day of classes is Tuesday, January 17.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, January 30.
• Spring recess is the week of Sunday, March 4.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, March 20.
• The last day of classes is Monday, April 30.

During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.

The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.