Course Information
Math 476: Abstract Algebra – Section 02, Fall 2012
4 Credits: MTThF
12:30p.m. – 1:20p.m. Bridges Room 262
Textbook: Contemporary Abstract
Algebra, 7th ed, by Joseph
A. Gallian [Required]
Office: MacLean 375M Office Phone: (218)477-4011
Office Hours: MTWThF 9:30am – 10:20am Email: jamesju@mnstate.edu
W
12:30pm – 2:20pm Webpage: web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
MT ThF 2:30pm –
3:20pm
Other times by
Appointment
Course Description: Groups, rings and integral domains studied as
abstract mathematical systems.
Lagrange's theorem, factor groups, homomorphisms,
polynomial rings and quotient rings.
Prerequisites:
MATH 310 and Math 327
Major Content Areas:
·
Groups, subgroups, permutation groups, normal
subgroups, factor groups, isomorphisms and
homomorphisms of groups.
·
Rings, integral domains, and fields, extension
fields, fields of fractions, ideals, factor rings,
homomorphisms and isomorphisms of rings.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to do the
following:
·
Recognize basic algebraic structures.
·
Understand morphisms in
algebra.
·
Appreciate general algebraic structure inherent in
familiar systems such as the integers, rational
numbers, and polynomials.
Course Requirements: You are expected to complete all daily
homework and writing assignments, and to take and pass all exams and quizzes at
their scheduled dates and times.
Instructional Strategies: Lecture, discussion, small group work.
Attendance and Academic
Expectations: You
are expected to attend class regularly and on time.
The
penalty for unexcused absences is
that missed assignments cannot be made up.
You are expected to read the assigned material in your textbook prior to
each lecture and to attempt the problems on the homework assignment. You are encouraged to form a group to study
and work with outside of class. You
should bring your book with you to class.
Homework: I will collect
homework for grading once
a week during the semester. You will be
told in class at least two days in advance which problems to write up and turn
in. You may need to complete problems in
addition to the assigned homework problems in order to learn the related course
material well. I may spend a few minutes
at the beginning of class answering homework questions, but the bulk of our
class time will be spent covering new material.
You are encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates and with me
outside of class during my office hours.
If my office hours do not match your schedule, feel free to contact me
to arrange another time to meet.
Quizzes: I will give quizzes
at various times during the course. I
typically announce quizzes at least one day before I give them so you have time
to prepare for them. Quizzes will be
worth from 5-10 points, depending on their length and scope.
Extra Credit: Each week, there will be a few opportunities to complete Daily Bonus Problems. These problems will be assigned during class and will be due at the beginning of the next class meeting. I will grade and return these problems. Each solution will be assigned a score
between 0 and 1 marks (inclusive, and most likely a rational number). At the end of the semester, I will total
these marks up, and add 1% to your final semester percentage for each 10 marks
that you receive (rounded up). Be sure to save your returned assignments so you
can verify the number of marks you obtain in this way.
There may be a few other extra credit
assignments during the semester (don’t count on many). All extra credit will be given to the entire
class and must be handed in by the specified due date. There will be no individual extra credit
assignments.
Reflection Papers: Twice
during the semester, you will be given a writing assignment in which you will
be asked to give your personal thoughts and reflections on different aspects of
the course. These papers must be typed
and should be about 1 page in length (typed, double spaced). These informal papers will be graded mainly
on their content and completeness, but you should write in complete sentences
and express your thoughts clearly. Each
reflection paper contributes 10 points toward your final grade.
Exams: This
course will have four in-class exams and a comprehensive
final exam, as outlined on the course schedule. Be sure to mark the date of each exam on your
calendar, especially the final exam. In
class exams will be closed book and closed notes. In addition, calculators or other electronic
devices (cell-phones, etc.) will not
be allowed during exams.
The
credit given on exam questions will be based on the amount of correct work
shown, or, in the case of proofs, on the completeness, correctness, and clarity
of your argument. Little to no credit
will be given if sufficient work or argumentation has not been shown. In your final grade, your best three
in-class exams will be worth 100 points each, while your lowest exam will be scaled in half to be out of 50 points. The final exam is worth 200 points.
Course Grading
Policy: Your
final grade in the course will be computed as follows:
Homework/Quizzes 200 points
Highest 4 Unit Exams: 300 points
Lowest Unit Exam: 50 points
Final Exam: 200 points
Total: 750
points
I
will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned
during the semester (rounded to the nearest .1%), and will then assign letter
grades based on the following scale. I
may make slight adjustments to this scale (down, never up), but don’t count on
this happening.
96.5-100.0% A+ 81.5-86.4% B 69.0-71.4% C–
91.5-96.5% A 79.0-81.4% B– 66.0-68.9% D+
89.0-91.4% A– 76.5-78.9% C+ 60.0-65.9% D
86.5-88.9% B+ 71.5-76.4% C <60.0% F
Make-up
Work: Because you are allowed to drop several scores, I will
only give make-up assignments for emergencies
or for absences which are officially sanctioned by the University. I will expect written documentation in either
of these cases. If you miss an exam and
a make-up exam is not warranted, you may replace your grade on one missed exam with your un-scaled percentage score on the final
exam.
Special Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who believe they
may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-4318
(Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as possible to
ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Information regarding Disability Services is available at http://web.mnstate.edu/disability/
Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own
work. You may work with others and get help on assignments, but the work
you submit must be your own. During exams and quizzes you will not
be allowed to get help from others. Cheating and plagiarism are not
tolerated in any course at any level. See the MSUM Academic Honesty
policy for more information on the possible consequences of cheating.
Thanks,
And Let’s Have A Great Semester!!
Math
476 – Section 02 Course Page