2019 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3098.001
Course: Mathematics 3098.001.
Course Title: Modern Algebra.
Time: Lectures TR 11:00am - 12:20pm; Recitations M 8:00-8:50am.
Place: Wachman 009 (lectures) and Wachman 010 (recitations).
Instructor: Martin W. Lorenz.
Instructor Office: Wachman 528.
Instructor Email: martin.lorenz@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-5013 (e-mail is preferred).
Office Hours: TR 1:30-3:00pm and 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), freely available online: http://homepage.math.uiowa.edu/~goodman/algebrabook.dir/download.htm.
Course Goals: The goals of this course are twofold: students will learn to master some basic concepts and constructions of modern algebra and, secondly, how to present a coherent written account of reasonings involving this material.
Topics Covered: This course is the first part of a two-semester advanced undergraduate sequence (Math 3098/Math 3101) in modern abstract algebra. The focus of Math 3098 will be on the theory of groups as presented in Chapters 2-5 of Goodman's book (and perhaps some of Chapter 10). Time permitting, rings will be also be covered this semester, the focus being on polynomial rings.
Course Grading: Homeworks: 40%, midterm exam: 25%, final exam (comprehensive): 35%.
Exam Dates: Midterm on Tuesday, October 15, 11:00am-12:20pm; Final exam on Tuesday, December 17, 10:30am - 12:30pm. Both exams will be given in Wachman 009.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be recorded in both lectures and recitations; it may be taken into account in borderline grade cases. Office hours may not be used to cover material missed due to unjustified absences.
Homework: Homework (HW) assignments will be posted on the Canvas page of this course after each lecture along with the due date (typically Tuesday the following week, except when an exam is scheduled that day). HW will be returned with corrections for mathematical content, comments concerning the writing aspect, and a preliminary score (max = 12). You will be required to submit a revised version of the problems marked "Redo"; the due date of these revisions will be announced. The revised version will enable you to earn up to an additional 8 points, for a maximum of 20 points per assignment. Only legible and timely HW will be accepted. Obvious copies of solutions from the internet or from the work of other students will earn 0 points. The lowest HW score will be dropped from the grade calculation. Please write all HW on ONE SIDE of each sheet only (for scanning).
Writing Component: Math 3098 is a writing-intensive course. Besides helping you to master the mathematical material of the course, a primary goal of the written homework assignments is to develop your ability to express mathematical ideas in writing and to promote information literacy. At least one homework assignment will be a writing project requiring students to research the internet or other sources--the lectures and textbook will not fully cover the topics in question. Information on suitable sources will be provided and you will have the opportunity to revise these assignments.
Teaching Assistant: The TA for this course is Dong Bin Choi. He will hold the recitations and do some of the homework grading. Dong Bin's office hours are R 3-5pm in MCC (Wachman 1036). You can also contact Dong Bin by e-mail (tuf73966@temple.edu); his office is Wachman 517.
Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in 100 Ritter Annex (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.
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 Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (Opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)
The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)