2017 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3096.001
Course: Mathematics 3096.001.
Course Title: Introduction to Modern Algebra.
Time: Lecture: MWF 9:00am - 9:50am Recitation: M 8:00am - 8:50am.
Place: Lecture: Wachman 16; Recitation: Wachman 207.
Instructor: Charles Osborne.
Instructor Office: Wachman 1035.
Instructor Email: charles.osborne@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 609 634 4080.
Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:00.
Prerequisites: Math 2111 (Basic Concepts of Math).
Textbook: Abstract Algebra: An Introduction (3rd Edition), by Thomas Hungerford. Published by Cengage Learning; 3rd edition (July 27, 2012) ISBN-10: 1111569622 ISBN-13: 978-1111569624.
Course Goals: This course will deal primarily with theory of rings and (hopefully) groups with a particular emphasis on writing mathematical proofs in these areas. Students should learn how to formulate mathematical proofs about these objects, and express their proofs in organized, coherent, and grammatically correct prose.
Topics Covered: Integer divisibility and Modular Arithmetic, Rings, Isomorphisms and Homomorphisms of Rings, Polynomial Rings, Ideals and Quotient Rings.
Course Grading: The grade will be based on two midterms, one final exam, recitation work, project, and submitted homework. Grades will be computed in a straightforward manner, dividing points earned by possible points. Course averages correspond to letter grades as follows: 0-49 F, 50-54 D-, 55-64 D, 65-69 D+, 70-72 C-, 73-76 C, 77-79 C+, 80-82 B-, 83-86 B, 87-89 B+, 90-92 A-, 93-100 A.
Exam Dates: Midterms will be in late February and early April. Exact dates will be announced two weeks prior to each midterm.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory. If you cannot attend a class, I require a legitimate reason and appropriate documentation. If you have 6 or more unexcused absences, your grade will drop half a notch (e.g. B to B-) for each 6 classes you miss.
Homework: Homework will be assigned at each class. Once a week, a subset of these exercises will be collected and graded. Most of these problems require you to write a proof. Once the assignment has been graded, you will have an opportunity for a rewrite and a corresponding grade adjustment.
Blackboard: This is a registered Blackboard course. You should check Blackboard regularly for announcements and course information.
Project: Since this is a Writing Intensive course, a group project requiring research, writing a paper, and a presentation is 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. Check the University calendar for exact dates.
During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester, 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.