Fall 2015 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3096.001

Course: Mathematics 3096.001.
Course Title: Introduction to Modern Algebra.
Time: TR: 9:30am -- 10:50pm M: 8:00am -- 8:50am.
Place: Lecture: Wachman 308; Recitation: Wachman 9.
Instructor: Lorenz, Maria E.
Instructor Office: Wachman 524.
Instructor Email: maria.lorenz@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-6764.
Office Hours: M 9:30-10:30 or TR 2:00-3:00 or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math 2111 (Basic Concepts of Math).
Textbook: Title: Abstract Algebra: An Introduction, 3rd Edition. Author: Thomas W. Hungerford. Publisher: Cengage Learning; 3 edition (July 27, 2012) ISBN-10: 1111569622 ISBN-13:978-1111569624.
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. Written proofs must offer the reader a logical and well-organized narrative explanation of an approach to a solution of a problem. Proofs should be written in clear, carefully edited prose that is relatively free of grammatical errors. Students will also be expected to use sources to research a topic relevant to the course, and to write a paper and give a presentation on that topic.
Topics Covered: Integers and modular arithmetic, Rings, Polynomial rings, Ideals and Quotient rings, Groups.
Course Grading: There will be two midterms each counting for 18% of your course grade, quizzes and projects counting for 10% of your grade, homework will count for 30% of your grade, and the final exam for 24% of your grade.
Exam Dates: Midterm exams are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 1 and Thursday, November 12 during the regular class meeting. The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, 8am--10am as announced on the university web site.
Attendance Policy: You are expected to attend class. If you have an excuse for missing a class, please let me know. If you have 4 or more unexcused absences, your grade will drop half a notch (e.g. B to B-) for each 4 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, you will have 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.
Blackboard: This is a registered Blackboard course. You should check Blackboard regularly for announcements and course information.
Project: A group project requiring research, writing a paper, and a presentation will be required. Details will be given in class.

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 dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date given below.

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.