Fall 2015 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3098.001
Course: Mathematics 3098.001.
Course Title: Modern Algebra.
Time: Lectures TR 9:30 am - 10:50 pm; Recitation M 8:00 - 8:50.
Place: Lectures Wachman 407; Recitation Wachman 15.
Instructor: Letzter, Edward S.
Instructor Office: Wachman 640.
Instructor Email: edward.letzter@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-1941.
Course Web Page: http://math.temple.edu/~letzter
Office Hours: by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math 2111 and Math 2101 or 2103 all with grades of C or higher, or Math 3051 with a grade of C- or higher.
Textbook: Algebra: Abstract and Concrete, Frederick M. Goodman, Edition 2.6, available online (donation requested): http://homepage.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. Successful students will also develop their skills in written communication of mathematical ideas.
Topics Covered: This course is the first part of a two-semester advanced undergraduate sequence (Math 3098 -- Math 3101) in abstract algebra. In Math 3098, the theories of groups and rings will be covered, as time permits.
Course Grading: Homework, 40%; Midterm 1, 18%; Midterm 2, 18%; Final Exam, 24%.
Exam Dates: Midterm 1, Thursday, October 1 (in class); Midterm 2, Thursday, November 19 (in class); Final Exam, Thursday, December 10, 8:00 -- 10:00 am, Wachman 407.
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.
Writing: Math 3098 is a Writing Intesive Course. The goal of the written homework assignments is to help enable you both to understand the material of the course and to develop your ability to express mathematical ideas in writing. Your progress in written mathematical communication will be evaluated and will contribute to your homework grade.
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.