2021 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3098.001

Course: Mathematics 3098.001.

Course Title: Modern Algebra.

Credits: 3.

How this course will be taught: in person.

Time: lectures TR 11:00am - 12:20pm; recitations M 8:00-8:50am.

Place: Wachman 010 (lectures and recitations).

Instructor: Martin Lorenz.

Instructor Office: Wachman 528.

Instructor Email: martin.lorenz@temple.edu

Instructor Phone: 215-204-5013 (e-mail is preferred).

Office Hours: TR 3:30-5:00pm 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.

Course Materials: The textbook for this course is Algebra, Abstract and Concrete (Edition 2.6) by Frederick M. Goodman; it is available for free download here and I will also post a copy on the Canvas page for this course. The textbook will mainly be used as a background reference. It is important to take good class notes, because I will not literally follow the presentation in the textbook.

Course Goals: The goals of this course are twofold: Students will learn to master some basic concepts and constructions of modern (abstract) algebra and, secondly, how to present coherent written accounts 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. Math 3098 will mostly be concerned with the theory of groups, roughly covering the material as presented in Chapters 2-5 of Goodman's book (and perhaps some of Chapter 10). Time permitting, a brief introduction to ring theory will be also be given at the end of the semester, the focus being on polynomial rings.

Course Grading: Homeworks: 40%, two midterm exams: 15% each, final exam (comprehensive): 30%.

Exam Dates: Midterm 1 on Thursday, September 23, 11-12:20; Midterm 2 on Thursday, October 28, 11-12:20; Final exam on Tuesday, December 14, 10:30 - 12:30 (as in the TU schedule of exams). All exams will be given in our usual class room (Wachman 010).

Attendance Policy: Attendance will be recorded in both lectures and recitations; it will be taken into account in the midterm ratings and in borderline grade cases at the end of the semester. Office hours may not be used to cover material missed due to unjustified absences.

Attendance and Your Health: To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to your instructors' requirements. However, if you feel unwell or if you are under quarantine or in isolation because you have been exposed to the virus or tested positive for it, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities. It is the student's responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion, when illness delays their completion.

Homework: Homework (HW) assignments will be posted on the Canvas page of this course. HW will be returned with corrections for mathematical content, comments concerning the writing aspect, and a preliminary score (max = 15). You will have the opportunity to submit a revised version of the problems marked "Redo" (with due date), which will enable you to earn up to an additional 5 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.

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 HW assignments is to develop your ability to express mathematical ideas in writing and to promote information literacy. I plan to post sample solutions for selected HW problems on Canvas. Some HW assignments may be brief writing projects requiring students to research the internet or other sources--the lectures and textbook will not fully cover the topics in question.

Teaching Assistant: The TA for this course is Dong Bin (DB) Choi. He will hold the recitations and grade the homework for mathematical correctness. DB's office hours are MW 1-2 pm in Wachman 517. You can also find DB at the Math Consulting Center (MCC) T 12-2 pm or contact him by e-mail (d.b.choi@temple.edu).

Disability Statement: 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.

Academic Freedom: 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 (opens in new tab/window).

Add/Drop Policy: Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) 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).

Incomplete Policy: 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).

Expectations for Class Conduct: The best way to maintain a safe and focused learning environment is for everyone to get vaccinated. Masks must be worn by vaccinated and unvaccinated people in all indoor or in enclosed spaces (including classrooms, the Library, the TECH Center, the Student Center, shuttles/buses, administrative spaces, common areas in residence halls, etc.). For your general health and well-being, hand washing and monitoring your health is still highly recommended.

Student Support Services: The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window):
    The Math Consulting Center
    Student Success Center
    University Libraries
    Undergraduate Research Support
    Career Center
    Tuttleman Counseling Services
    Disability Resources and Services
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.

For courses in remote mode:

Technology specifications for this course: A working computer with a reliable internet connection, a Webcam, and audio capability. Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions. A scanning app such as AdobeScan or CamScanner is required as is access to Zoom and Canvas (the Canvas app is also recommended).
Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wifi-access, should submit a request outlining their needs using the Student Emergency Aid Fund form. The University will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Mifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access.

Remote proctoring statement: Zoom, Proctorio or a similar proctoring tool may be used to proctor exams and quizzes in this course. These tools verify your identity and record online actions and surroundings. It is your responsibility to have the necessary government or school issued ID, a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection, the Google Chrome and Proctorio extension, a webcam/built-in camera and microphone, and system requirements for using Proctorio, Zoom, or a similar proctoring tool. Before the exam begins, the proctor may require a scan of the room in which you are taking the exam.

Online Classroom Etiquette: It is expected that each student attends every class on time for the full duration of each class and behaves, in the same professional manner, as if you are in a regular classroom. This refers in particular to your location and attire. It is not appropriate to eat a large meal, drink alcohol, smoke, or get up often during an online class.

Statement on recording and distribution of recordings of class sessions: Any recordings permitted in this class can only be used for the student's personal educational use. Students are not permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not students in the course or academic program without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law known as FERPA as well as certain copyright laws. Any recordings made by the instructor or university of this course are the property of Temple University.