Spring 2013 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3101.002

Course: Mathematics 3101.002.
Course Title: Topics in Modern Algebra.
Time: Mondays, 8:00 -- 8:50 am; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 -- 10:50 am.
Place: Mondays, BB101; Tuesdays and Thursdays, BB200.
Instructor: Daughton, Austin.
Instructor Office: 526 Wachman Hall.
Instructor Email: adaughto@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: (215)204-8438.
Course Web Page: http://math.temple.edu/~tua99137
Office Hours: MW 10:00-12:00 or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math 3098 (W205) with a grade of C- or higher or transfer credit for Math 3098.
Textbook: Algebra, Abstract and Concrete, 2nd Edition, Frederick M. Goodman (Pearson, 2003). Edition 2.5 available for download (for a suggested donation) at : http://www.math.uiowa.edu/~goodman/algebrabook.dir/algebrabook.html.
Course Goals: Successful students will gain experience with concepts and methods of abstract algebra, at the advanced undergraduate level.
Topics Covered: This course is the second part of a two-semester advanced undergraduate sequence (Math 3098 -- Math 3101) in abstract algebra. Topics: Theories of rings and fields, as time permits.
Course Grading: Homework, 35%; Midterm 1, 20%; Midterm 2, 20%; Final Exam, 25%.
Exam Dates: Midterm 1, Thursday, February 28 (in class); Midterm 2, Thursday April 18 (in class); Final Exam, Thursday, May 9, 8:00 -- 10:00am.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be recorded and may be taken into account in borderline grade cases. Office hours may not be used to cover material missed due to unjustified absences.
Assigned Work: Homework will be assigned regularly, collected, and graded. After the assignments are graded, they will be returned to you for revisions. Unexcused late homework may either be (a) not accepted or (b) given a reduced grade.
Make-Up Policies: Make-up midterms will only be given when missed due to justified excused absences; documentation may be requested. Unless truly extraordinary circumstances are present, students unable to take a midterm for a legitimate reason must contact the instructor before the time of the midterm.
Blackboard: This will be a Blackboard Registered Course. Homework assignments and other course information will be posted there.

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 22.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, February 4.
• Spring recess is the week of Sunday, March 10 - Sunday, March 17.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Tuesday, March 26.
• The last day of classes is Monday, May 6.

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.