Modern Algebra I- MA541 - Fall 2018

Course Home Page

Course: MA541 A1, Modern Algebra I
Instructor: Jared Weinstein
Lectures: TR 3:30 pm - 4:45 am in CAS 116
Discussion A2: M 1:25 pm - 2:15 pm in MCS B25
Discussion A3: T 8:00 am - 8:50 am in MCS B25
Office Hours: TBA

Course Overview

This course is an introduction to abstract algebra, with an emphasis on groups. A group is an algebraic structure which was invented to capture the notion of symmetry. Groups appear in almost every field of mathematics, so it is important to master them. Topics include permutation groups, Lagrange's theorem, homomorphisms, the isomorphism theorems, and the Sylow theorems.


Text

John B. Fraleigh, A First Course in Abstract Algebra, 7th ed., Addison-Wesley.


Assignments and Exams

In order to gain mastery of the concepts it is crucial to do many exercises. I will be assigning problem sets every week which will usually be due on Tuesdays. You are allowed and encouraged to work together on homework assignments, but you must hand in solutions which are written in your own words. Select problems from each problem set will be graded and returned to you the following week.

On Tuesday, October 16, I will hand out a take-home midterm, which will be due on Tuesday, October 23. You are not allowed to work together on the midterm. The final exam is Wednesday, December 19, 3:00 pm -- 5:00 pm. You must take the final exam to receive a passing grade.

HW Assignment Due
#1 § 0: 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 29, 30, 36 Sept. 11
#2 § 1: 1-4, 16-18, 22-27, 33, 34, 37. § 2: 1-9, 26 Sept. 18
#3 § 3: 6,7,16,33. § 4: 8, 19, 20, 28, 29, 32, 34, 35 Sept. 25
#4 § 5: 8, 10, 13, 26, 30, 40, 43, 49, 53. § 6: 53 Oct. 2
#5 § 8: 1, 2, 18b, 35, 51b. § 9: 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 17, 34, 35. Oct. 11
#6 § 12: 6, 8, 10, 16. § 13: 17, 20, 27, 44, 47, 50. Nov. 1
#7 § 14: 4, 6, 8, 30, 33. § 15: 4, 9, 13, 23, 25, 37. Nov. 8
#8 § 16: 13b, 13c. § 17: 1, 4, 7. § 34: 2, 7, 9. Nov. 20
#9 § 35: 8, 9, 22. § 36: 1, 2, 3, 5, 13, 19, 20. Dec. 6
#10 § 37: 4, 6, 8. § 38: 2, 4. § 39: 12c, 13c. Dec. 13

Grades

The grading scheme is: Homeworks 70%, Midterm 10%, Final 20%. In case of emergencies, you can miss one homework assignment. If you complete all of them, I will drop the lowest grade. Late homework will not be accepted.

It takes a lot of practice to get comfortable with the concepts in the this class. To do well, I recommend: Attend every lecture, read every page of the text, attempt every assignment, come to office hours, and discuss the material with each other.


MA541 Home Page Jared Weinstein Department of Mathematics Boston University