MAS 4301

Abstract Algebra

MW 7:30-9:10

Professor: Dan Dreibelbis

Office: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Building 14, Room 2709
Office Phone: 620-3718
Office Hours: MW 11:00-12:00, TR 1:30-3:00, or by appointment
E-mail: ddreibel@unf.edu
Web Site: http://www.unf.edu/~ddreibel/mas4301

Text: Contemporary Abstract Algebra, Gallian, 7th edition

Prerequisite: MHF 3202, MAS 3105

Tentative List of Topics:

Ideally, we will do Chapters 1-14, 20, and 22. This covers:

Groups

Subgroups, finite groups, permutation groups, normal subgroups
Isomorphsims, homomorphisms
Cosets

Rings

Integral domains
Ideals

Fields

Extension fields
Finite fields

Homework:

Homework will be assigned every week on Wednesday and then collected on the following Wednesday. Assignments will be listed on the web site. The only way to learn this material is through doing lots of problems. If you don’t learn the material, then you will probably fail the exams, and thus fail the course. Moral of the story: DO THE HOMEWORK!

Exams:

There will be two midterms and the final:

Midterm 1:            Wednesday, February 9
Midterm 2:            Wednesday, March 9
Final:                     Wednesday, April 27, 7:30-9:20

Exams will be in-class. The final might be partially cumulative. Of course, there are no excuses for missing an exam.

Grades: The grades will be worked out as follows:

Homework:        25%
Midterm 1:         25%
Midterm 2:         25%
Final:                    25%

Important Dates:

January 10:         Last day to add/drop
January 17:         MLK Day, no class
March 14:          Spring Break, no class
March 16:          Spring Break, no class
March 25:          Last day to withdraw

Office Hours:

My office hours are Monday and Wednesday 11-12, Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-3:00, or by appointment. Take that "by appointment" seriously: If you cannot make my scheduled office hours, I am more than willing to meet with you at other times. I have no pity for people who did poorly in my class, but never came to talk to me outside of class. My office is Room 2709, second floor in Building 14. I am a big, big fan of office hours, you are strongly encouraged to come to visit me.

Course Disrpution Policy:

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency such as hurricane, pandemic or other unforeseen event or combination of events, the format of this course may be modified in order to enable completion of the course requirements. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to this syllabus that will supersede this version. It is your responsibility as a student participant to be proactive during any emergency to find instructions that I will post on the webpage and/or be sent through email as determined by the instructor as appropriate for the circumstances.