Instructor: Ezra Brown |
Office: 568 McBryde Office Phone : 231-6950 Home Phone : 552-9563 (before 9 PM) E-mail : brown@math.vt.edu | Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:30 am TTh 3:00-4:30 pm & by appointment |
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| Instructor:Ezra Brown |
Office: 568 McBryde Office Phone : 231-6950 Home Phone : 552-9563 (before 9 PM) E-mail : brown@math.vt.edu | Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:30 am TTh 3:00-4:30 pm & by appointment |
Time and Place: 1:25 to 2:15 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, McBryde 231
Text: "Abstract Algebra (3rd Edition)" by Dummit and Foote; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2004); ISBN 0-471-43334-9.
Topics: This course is a continuation of Math 4124, which was taught in the Fall of 2007. Topics include Euclidean domains, principal ideal domains, and unique factorization domains (Chapter 8 of the text), polynomial rings (Chapter 9), introduction to modules (Chapter 10), vector spaces (Chapter 11), and --- time permitting --- either canonical forms (Chapter 12) or an introduction to field theory (Chapter 13). This is a theoretical course and you will be expected to construct proofs on the problem sets, the tests, and the final exam.
Prerequisites: Math 4124 (Modern Algebra) or the equivalent.
About Those Prerequisites: It is DANGEROUS to take this course without first satisfying the prerequisites.
Evaluation: There will be regular problem sets, worth 40% of your grade; two hour tests, each worth 20% of your grade; and a final exam, worth 20% of your grade. The hour tests are tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 18 and Monday, April 14. The final exam is comprehensive, and is scheduled to be given on Friday, May 2 from 1:05 to 3:05 p.m. Giving or receiving assistance on the hour tests or final exam (except that specified by the instructor) is a violation of the honor code.
Problem Sets Policy: Forty percent of your grade is based on problem sets. These problem sets should be viewed as take-home quizzes. Any discussion of solutions to these problems with anyone other than the instructor is a violation of the honor code. You are free to use your textbook and notes and you may consult the instructor.
Final Exam -- due by noon on Tuesday, May 6
Late Work and Test Policy: A problem set is late after the end of class on the day it is due. Late problem sets count zero. I will not give make-up tests; however, I will substitute your final exam grade for at most one hour test, if such a substitution is to your advantage. You may not make up a missed final exam.
Grading: A percentage grade of 90, 80, 70 or 60 on any piece of work guarantees you a grade of A-, B-, C- or D-, respectively. Plusses and minuses are judgment calls and not subject to debate. Graduate students should note that the Graduate School converts any grade below C- to an F.
Honor System: The University Honor System is in effect for the midterm exams, the final exam and the graded problem sets.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE!! If you are not on the class roll that comes out after the last add date, immediately check your schedule at a terminal and start attending the proper section. For no forseeable reason (computer and registrar personnel mistakes included) will you be allowed to stay in the wrong section or to drop a section for which you are actually enrolled after the last drop date.