ALGEBRA I

22m:205, Fall 2008

Instructor: Fred Goodman
Office: 325G McLean Hall
Phone: 335-0791 (office), 331-1939 (mobile)
Office Hours: tba

Course goals:

General knowledge of algebra needed for research specialization in algebra or for applications in other areas of mathematics

Textbook:

Alperin and Bell, Groups and Representations, Springer Verlag (Graduate Texts in Mathematics No. 162)

Donald Passman, A Course in Ring Theory (AMS--Chelsea).

Nathan Jacobson, Basic Algebra II,  W.H. Freeman, 1989  (out of print, I will make some chapters available to you.)

Course plan:

This course is no longer tied closely to graduate exams in our department, so we need not be pressured to cover every item in some fixed syllabus. Nevertheless, the sentiment in the department is that this should still be a survey of algebra rather than a special topics course. We will concentrate on topics that either were not covered in 120-121 or require a more thorough treatment than was possible in 120-121.

Homework:

There will be around eight homework assignments which may require lots of time.

You may collaborate on homework (discussing mathematics with your peers is an important skill), but you must write your own solutions. In general your homework solutions should be literate; the point is to explain your method, not just to obtain an answer.

Exams and grading:

There will be no examinations.

Grades will be based on the homework. I have outlined what I think are the appropriate standards in class; if you have any questions about this, PLEASE bring them up with me privately or in class.

Other recommended texts:

David Dummit and Richard Foote,  Abstract Algebra,  3rd edition, John Wiley 2003.

Thomas W. Hungerford,  Algebra,  Springer Verlag (Graduate Texts in Mathematics No. 73)

Serge Lang, Algebra, Springer Verlag (Graduate Texts in Mathematics No. 211)

Attendance and absences:

Regular attendance will be expected. However, if you must miss class, you will still be responsible for the material discussed in class. You are responsible for announcements made in class, which may concern changes in the assignments, syllabus, etc.

Complaint procedure:

I hope and expect that you will have a good time, work a lot and learn a lot in this course. If you have concerns or complaints about any aspect of the course, please discuss these with me. If we are not able to resolve the difficulty, please contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics, room 14 Maclean Hall.

Required information from the College of Liberal Arts:

The College of Liberal Arts requires certain information to be available on every course syllabus. Follow this link to obtain this information.

Fred Goodman
Fall, 2008