Math 402 – Modern Algebra (Group Theory)

Summer 2004

MWF 1:10-2:10, MOR230

Instructor: Alexandra Nichifor

Office: Padelford C-8K (basement of Padelford, northern wing)

Email: nichifor@math.washington.edu

Class website: www.math.washington.edu/~nichifor/Math402.htm

Texts: Algebra by M. Artin (optional: Abstract Algebra by Dummit & Foote)

I placed both on reserve at the Math Research Library, 3^rd floor of PDL.

TAs: Until July 9: Tristram Bogart [bogart@math.washington.edu]

July 12-July 30: Ilgar Eroglu [kieroglu@math.washington.edu]

Office hours: Alexandra: Mondays 2:20-3:20 & Wednesdays 11-12 in PDL C-8K

Tristram: Thursdays 1-3 PDL C-406 (until July 9^th; afterwards TBA)

Welcome to Math 402. This course is an introduction to Abstract Algebra and will cover topics from Group Theory (corresponding roughly to chapters 2, 5 and 6 of Artin).

This class is probably different from other math courses you have taken in the past. You will need to use the tools of the mathematician: understanding definitions and writing complete and clear proofs. Algebra is a beautiful subject which can be very rewarding to grasp. But to get there, one needs to spend time reading, thinking and fighting with the new ideas and methods. Much of this takes place outside of the classroom.

To this end, whenever possible the sections to be covered will be announced ahead of time and you will be expected to have read them before class. I suggest you try to write a summary containing the definitions, examples and the main results of each section. Please also make a list of questions and difficulties. This should free up some of the class time for clarifying the harder parts and for discussing the more interesting aspects of the day’s material.

Nuts and Bolts:

Grade: Homework (30%), Midterm (30%) and Final (40%).

Homework:

• With a few exceptions, there will be weekly homework assignments.
• I strongly recommend working through _all_ of the assigned homework.
• However, only some of the questions will be collected and graded. For these problems, the solutions submitted must be complete, neat and clearly written, textbook-quality.
• On the first 4 assignments, you may re-submit up to two problems on which you got at least 50% for a re-grade. This is intended to help you improve your writing skills.
• Lowest homework score will be dropped.

Midterm: Wednesday July 21^st. No make ups. Final exam grade will be substituted if there’s an

unavoidable absence due to a serious and documented reason.

Final Exam: August 20^th.

Last day to drop: July 4^th. Last day to change to S/NS or to use annual drop: Aug 8^th.

(check page: http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/0304cal.html#Q4)