M343K Introduction to Algebraic Structures

Time and location: MWF 1:00-2:00PM RLM 7.124

Instructor: Felipe Voloch (RLM 9.122, ph. 471-2674, e-mail: )

Office Hours: Thu 9:30-11:00AM.

Textbook: A first course in abstract algebra with applications, J. J. Rotman, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall. ISBN-13: 9780131862678. We will cover chapters 2 and 3 and a few bits of other chapters. We will follow this syllabus.
Warning: There is a pdf copy of the book on the Internet which, despite appearances, is not the 3rd edition. The problems are numbered in a different way. Use at your own risk.

Tests: Midterm on 3/20 in class covering sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5. Final on Monday, May 13, 2:00-5:00 pm in RLM 7.124.
In registering for this class you are implicitly confirming your availability to take the final at the officially scheduled time.

Homework: I will assign homework on a weekly basis and it will be due at the beginning of the following week, unless otherwise stipulated. Selected problems (not all problems) will be graded. Homework must be neatly done and stapled if more than one page long. Late or sloppy homework will not be graded.

Grades: The two best grades from among the midterm, homework average and final will count 50% each for the course grade. Makeups will not be given.

Announcements

• No class on Wed, 2/6. No office hours, Thu, 2/7.
• Review class on Mon, 3/18.
• There won't be any more homework assignments beyond the ten assignments below. I will drop the lowest homework score for the homework grade. In the last week of classes we will do problems in class and participation will count as extra credit for the homework grade.

Homework assignments

1. Section 2.1, Problems 2.1, 2.5, 2.14. Due 1/25.
2. Section 2.2, Problems 2.21, 2.25. Due 2/1.
3. Section 2.2, Problems 2.26, 2.28, 2.30. Due 2/8.
4. Section 2.3, Problems 2.38, 2.40, 2.44. Due 2/15.
5. Section 2.4, Problems 2.52, 2.56. Due 2/22.
6. Section 2.5, Problems 2.64, 2.68, 2.76. Due 1/3.
7. Section 2.6, Problem 2.95 and Section 3.1, Problems 3.8, 3.13. Due 3/29.
8. Section 3.1, Problem 3.10 and Section 3.2, Problems 3.17, 3.22. Due 4/5.
9. Section 3.4, Problems 3.41, 3.42 and 3.47. Due 4/12.
10. Section 3.5, Problems 3.69, 3.77 and Section 3.8, Problem 3.92, items (i)-(iv). Due 4/19.

Links

• Midterm with solutions.

• Interesting application of group theory.