Fall 2013 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3096.001

Course: Mathematics 3096.001.
Course Title: Introduction to Modern Algebra.
Time: Lecture - TR: 9:30am - 10:50am; Recitation - M: 8:00 am - 8:50 am.
Place: Lecture - Barton Hall Classrooms 00405; Recitation - Barton Hall Classrooms 00400.
Instructor: Downing, Marilena.
Instructor Office: Wachman 633.
Instructor Email: marilena.downing@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-9055.
Office Hours: TR 11:30-1:00.
Prerequisites: Math 2196 (Basic Concepts of Math) or Math 3003 (Number Theory).
Textbook: Abstract Algebra, an Introduction by Thomas W. Hungerford, Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., 1997.
Course Goals: This course will deal primarily with theory of rings and groups with a particular emphasis on writing mathematical proofs in these areas. Students should learn how to communicate mathematical ideas in written form in the context of modern algebra.
Topics Covered: Integers and modular arithmetic, Rings, Polynomial rings, Ideals and Quotient rings, Groups.
Course Grading: There will be two midterms each counting for 20% of your course grade,homework will count for 35% of your grade, and the semi-cumulative final exam for 25% of your grade.
Exam Dates: Midterm exams are scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 and Thursday, October 31. The final examination is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 8:00am - 10:00am.
Attendance Policy: You are expected to attend class. If you have an excuse for missing a class, please let me know. If you have 3 or more unexcused absences, your grade will drop half a notch (e.g. B to B-) for each 3 classes you miss.
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly. There will be assignments from the text that will be handed in for grading. Many of the problems will require you to write complete mathematical proofs. Once the assignment has been graded, there will be an opportunity for a rewrite and a corresponding grade adjustment. Your ability to write mathematics should improve greatly over the course of the semester; the homework will emphasize this. For extra practice, COW assignments on some of the more computational course components will be suggested but not required. You should plan to work very hard on the homework for this course.
Blackboard: This is a registered Blackboard course. You should check Blackboard regularly for announcements and course information.

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 Monday, August 26.
• Labor Day is Monday, September 2.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, September 9.
• Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 28.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Tuesday, October 22.
• The last day of classes is Wednesday, December 4.

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.