MATH 4530/5530 COURSE SYLLABUS

Spring 2014

No Textbook for this Course

Optional Supplemental Textbook:  A Book of Abstract Algebra (Charles Pinter)

Prerequisites: This is an advanced, theory-based course.  Math 4510 is a required prerequisite; Math 2010 is strongly recommended but not required.

Purpose: This course is intended to provide advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students with additional experience in proof techniques while also giving them extensive exposure to rings.  

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, students will have developed an understanding of: 
1. quotient groups and group homomorphisms 
2. the major classes of rings, 
3. subrings and ideals 
4. ring homomorphisms and isomorphisms,
5. product and quotient rings 


REQUIREMENTS: In general, you are expected to 
1. read and study class assignments and solve assigned problems, 
2. ask questions in class when unsure of any concept or unclear on any assigned problem;  
3. take all announced exams on the day they are scheduled
4. present assigned homework problems regularly in class. 

Grading:  We will cover the material presented in  Sections 5 and 6 of the group theory notes and all of the ring theory notes available on my web page.   

There will be at least   two in-class exams; graduate students will have two take-home exams in addition to the in-class exams. Each week there will be a short definitions and theorem quiz.  You will be assigned homework problems.  Most of these problems will be presented to the class; some may be turned in.     You are expected to be familiar all of the proofs presented in the class text and the homework.  You will be asked to reproduce all or portions of some proofs on the exams.  Your grades on homework  will constitute a fourth exam grade.  There will be no final exam, unless class needs dictate one.

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

It is very important that you be present for the in-class presentations; consequently, I will take roll each day.  Every four unexcused absences will automatically lower your final grade by one letter.

If you are enrolled in Math 4270, your quiz grades will count 20% and exams will count 80% of your final grade. 

Graduate Students:  Graduate students will be assigned to their own small group or groups.  Graduate students will be assigned  more challenging homework exercises for presentation, and there will be a take-home component to all graduate exams.  In addition, graduate students  will be expected to develop a poster presentation on a ring theory topic of their choosing.  Poster presentations will be made on the final exam day.   Quizzes will count 15%, exams will count 75% of your final grade, and your poster presentation will count 10%.

A standard grading scale will be used on all graded work: 90-100 --- A, 80 - 89.5 --- B, etc. Particular grades are not curved; there will be an end-of-semester curve on exams based upon class performance.  (The curve is separate for graduate and undergraduate students.)

The notes provided are designed so that you must read and work through the presented examples in order to work the exercises. 

You are expected to work as many homework problems as you can in addition to those you are presenting, and you are expected to collect corrected solutions to all homework problems since these will serve as your study guide for the exams.  Presenters are strongly encouraged to use Power Point, MS Word, or some other electronic medium as the basis for their presentations and are encouraged to post the corrected presentations in a place where others in class may access them.  Likewise, corrected copies of homework that is turned in should also be distributed.

If you are not able to take a quiz or exam at the scheduled time, you must schedule a makeup time.  Except for medical or family emergencies, the scheduled makeup time cannot be more than two weekdays after the quiz or exam. 

I usually return an exam or quiz no more than two class days after it is given.  It is your responsibility to monitor your progress in the course.  I strongly recommend you actively ask questions in class or come to my office regularly to discuss your progress.  I will be happy to suggest strategies for helping you succeed, but no strategy provides a quick-fix. Do not wait until the last few weeks of class to try improving your grade. 

THERE ARE NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT IN THIS COURSE.

IMPORTANT:  It is Department policy not to grant withdrawals after the withdrawal deadline has passed, unless circumstances have arisen which make it impossible for you to complete the course.  Late withdrawals must be approved by the Department Chair and often require documentation for the extenuating circumstances.

To retain Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter.  You may qualify with a 2.75 cumulative GPA after 72 attempted hours (and subsequent semesters), if you are enrolled full-time and maintain a semester GPA of at least 3.0.  A grade of C, D, F, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.  Dropping a class after 14 days may also impact eligibility; if you withdraw from this class and it results in an enrollment status of less than full time, you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship. Lottery recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of five years from the date of initial enrollment, or until a bachelor degree is earned.  For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form, review lottery requirements on the web at http://scholarships.web.mtsu.edu/telsconteligibility.htm, or contact the Financial Aid Office at 898-2830.

An incomplete will be given only in accordance with the University Policy.  If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations  for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the  Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services. 

Important dates:

January 20 --- Martin Luther King Holiday                                   

January 29 --- Last day to drop without a grade       March 28 --- Last day to drop with a "W"

March 10 - 15 --- Spring Break                                 May 1 --- Study Day (No Classes)                        

May 2 - May 8 --- Finals Week

FINAL EXAM DAY --- THURSDAY MAY 8      3:30 PM - 5:30 PM