Instructor: Sankar Sitaraman
TEXT: Abstract Algebra: The Basic Graduate Year, Robert B. Ash,
e-book
Available at PROF. ASH'S WEBSITE
OTHER REFERENCES: "Algebra" by Hungerford and "Contemporary Abstract Algebra" by Gallian
Class will meet MWF DGH 103 at 11.10 am.
One class in every two weeks part of the class will usually be spent on discussing
exercises and then a short quiz.
OFFICE HOURS
Office: 219, ASB-B (behind Locke).
Hours: MWF 10.10-11 am, THU 11AM-12PM
But you are welcome to come at other times also but please call
806-6832 or e-mail ssitaraman "(insert @ here)" howard.edu beforehand,
if possible.
Click here to get the latest including practice problems, chapters covered in class, solutions for tests etc.,
Syllabus
[Chapters 3,4,6]Review of rings, Basics of Fields, Modules (including free groups and structure of abelian groups), Galois theory.
Quizzes, Tests, Grades, and all that stuff
Each chapter in the book has exercises at the end of it. Please do the ones assigned at the end of each class. Solutions are also given for these problems at the end of the book. You are strongly encouraged to form a study group of students from this class. It is highly recommended that you meet
with students in your study group atleast once a week. The problems will help you prepare for the quiz, which will be given almost every other week. No make-ups will be given. You are strongly encouraged to talk to me during office hours. The quizzes, while easier to get
points than the tests, are crucial to understanding the material and also to preparing for the tests.
There will be 3 in-class tests apart from the final exam. The dates of the tests are given below. No make-ups will be given. The best 2 scores out of the 3 tests will be included in the final grade.
The quizzes will count for 200 towards final grade. I will drop the two lowest scores in the quizzes
Grading:
Total: 600 points (Quizzes: 200, Tests: 200, Final: 200 )
A: 540-600
B: 480-539
C: 420-479
D: 360-419
F: Below 360
Dates to remember:
Wed Jan 18: Quiz 1
Fri Jan 27: Quiz 2
Fri Feb 10: Test1
Wed Feb 22: Quiz 3
Fri Mar 2 : Quiz 4
Wed Mar 21: Quiz 5
Fri Mar 30: Test 2
Mon Apr 9: Quiz 6
Wed Apr 18: Quiz 7
Wed Apr 25: Test 3
Final exam May 2 to 9