Prerequisite: Math 2240 (Linear Algebra).
Text: Elements of Modern Algebra (5th Edition) by Jimmie and Linda Gilbert, ISBN: 0-534-37351-8 (Used cost approx. $5 -- you can go to AddAll.com for prices).
Web Page:
My webpage is located here:
https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj
and
our course webpage is located here:
https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj/courses/math3110-fall2009.
Meeting times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00am – 8:50am in Walker Hall room 105 (unless otherwise announced).
Final Exam: Our final exam will be held on Wednesday, December 9th, 3:00pm – 5:30pm.
Lecturer:
| Name: | Dr. William (Bill) Cook |
| Office: | Walker Hall 347 |
| Office hours: | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00am – 10:00am & 11:00am – 12:00pm Tuesday 11:00am – 12:00pm |
| Phone: | (828) 262-2367 |
| Email: | cookwj@appstate.edu |
| Webpage: | https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj |
Technology: You are welcome to use any technology at your disposal to complete out of class assignments. No calculators or other computer technology will be allowed on exams or quizzes.
Course Topics: The course catalog says, “Topics covered include equivalence relations, groups, subgroups, homomorphisms, isomorphisms, and a survey of other algebraic structures such as rings, integral domains, and fields.” Since the proof writing course is not an enforced prerequisite...yet, we will spend a significant portion of the course learning to write proofs and present mathematical arguments. I plan to cover most of chapters 1 – 5 of our text and possibly some selected topics from chapters 6 & 8. A tentative course schedule can be found at: https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj/courses/math3110-fall2009/schedule.html.
Your term grade will be based on the results of your tests and final exam as well as your scores on quizzes and homework. Here is more information about the individual components of your grade:
Tests and Final Exam: There will be three tests and a cumulative final exam. Each test will make up 15% of your final grade and the final exam will make up 25% of your final grade. The dates of the tests listed in the tentative course schedule may change. The actual dates will be announced in class.
Homework & Quizzes: I will post a list of suggested homework problems from the text – these will not be collected. Even though these homework problems will be not collected, working out or at least attempting all of the suggested problems is strongly recommended. Please ask questions about problems with which you have had difficulty. I will select a few of the suggested homework problems to be turned in (approximately every week to 2 weeks). I may give a few short quizzes and assign a few extended homework "projects". I encourage you to work on your homework with your classmates. However, you must write up your solutions yourself. Do NOT copy your collaborators work and turn it in as your own. The homeworks, quizzes, and projects will make up 30% of your term grade.
In summary, here are the components of the term grade with their weights:
| Component | Weight |
| Tests | 15% x 3 = 45% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Homework, Quizzes, & Projects | 30% |
Grades will be assigned based on the standard +/- system. (92-100 = A, 90-91 = A-, 88-89 = B+, 82-87 = B, 80-81 = B-, …, 60-61 = D-, 0-59 = F)
Attendance: Don't miss class. If you miss class, you are responsible for the material covered during your absence. If you miss a quiz, test/exam, or assignment, you must bring in documentation proving that you absence is excusable or otherwise receive a zero. If a make-up quiz/test/exam is granted, it must be made up before the next quiz/test/exam.
Help! If you need help, please come to my office hours. If you are in Walker Hall and my office door is open, please feel free to stop by and ask questions – even if it's not during my regular posted office hours. Also, you should be aware of the Math Lab – they might be able to help. More information about the Math Lab can be found at https://mathsci.appstate.edu/Student/Mathlab/.
Academic Integrity Code: (The standard spiel) As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty. This course will follow the provisions of the Academic Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site: www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.
Accommodations: Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at https://www.ods.appstate.edu/ or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.