2025 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 3098.001

Modern Algebra

3

In person

TR 14:00-15:20, R 8:00-8:50

TR 14:00-15:20 TUTTLEMAN 300AB, R 8:00-8:50 WACHMAN 009

Boris A. Datskovsky

bdats@temple.edu

Wachman 632

215-204-7847

TR 12:00-1:30

D.S. Malik, J. M. Mordeson, and M. K. Sen, Introduction to Abstract Algebra. The text is posted on Canvas.

Your grade will be based on a two exams, a group project, and homework assignments. The exams will count for 50% of your grade (25% each), the project for 10%,  and the homework for the remaining 40% of your grade.

Math 2111 and Math 2101 with grades of C or higher, or Math 3051 with a grade of C- or higher.

This course will deal primarily with theory of groups and rings. Its primary objectives are to lay the foundations of modern algebra and to develop abstract reasoning and clear communication skills in the context of group and ring theory. Students will engage in the main form of mathematical writing, writing proofs, primarily in the context of solving challenging homework problems.

Groups, subgroups, normal subgroups, homomorphisms and isomorphisms of groups, Sylow theorems, rings, subrings, ideals and homomorphisms, polynomial rings plus other topics if time allows.

Thursday , October 16, and Thursday, December 4.

Regular attendance is expected. If you miss a class, please contact me by e-mail in order to find out what material you have missed and what homework problems have been assigned.

All electronic devices, including cell phones, calculators, and computers, must be turned off or put into silent mode and stowed out of sight for the duration of the class.

Homework will be assigned at the end of every class but will not be collected. Instead, I will begin each class by answering homework questions. In addition, at the end of every two weeks of classes, excluding the week preceding the midterm, I will give you a written homework assignment consisting of selected homework problems to be submitted the following week. The assignments will be graded and returned to you for revisions. Your homework score will be based on the written homework assignments. Please note that it is very important to do all your homework, the problems that I collect in writing as well as those that I do not, as the exams will be based on homework.

Group projects will have to be completed in groups of 4 to 5 students (I will make the group assignments). A report will have to be submitted to me in writing. You will also have to present the material in class during a recitation. Several topics that come to mind are 1. Group Actions 2. Isomorphism Theorems 3. Solvable Groups 4. Simple groups. All presentations will take place after the first exam.

There will be no regularly scheduled make up exams. In the case of a DOCUMENTED EMERGENCY that prevents a student from taking a test as scheduled, the student must contact me at bdats@temple.edu bdats@temple.edu as soon as possible.

We have a zero tolerance policy towards cheating. Students caught cheating on a problem in a test (receiving outside help, using unauthorized resources or devices such as calculators, online resources, etc.) will receive a score of 0 for the entire test. This is consistent with the Temple University Academic Honor Code (see https://secretary.temple.edu/sites/secretary/files/policies/03.70.12.pdf ) that states: "Every member of the university community is responsible for upholding the highest standards of honesty at all times. Students, as members of the community, are responsible for adhering to the principles of academic honesty and integrity". More serious penalties are possible and those caught cheating will be reported to the office of student conduct.

This is a registered Canvas course. Please go there regularly to see important announcements and keep track of your assignments and current grades.

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.

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.

To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to the course requirements. However, if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, you should not come to campus or attend in-person  classes or activities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as you are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. 

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 Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (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.

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).

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

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).

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).