Syllabus for Math 4720 – Abstract Algebra
Section 101

Spring 2019

Prerequisite: Math 3110 or permission of the instructor.

Text: A First Course in Abstract Algebra (7^th Edition) by John B. Fraleigh ISBN: 978-0201763904 (Used cost approx. $20 -- you can go to AddAll.com, Bookfinder.com, or AllBookStores.com for prices. Note that international editions are fine.)

Supplemental Texts: Abstract Algebra (3^rd Edition) by David S. Dummit & Richard M. Foote ISBN: 978-0-471-43334-7 (Used cost approx. $20 -- you can go to AddAll.com for prices)
Dummit & Foote is an excellent nearly encyclopedic text written at a higher level.

You may also find Abstract Algebra: The Basic Graduate Year by Robert Ash helpful (it's available free online or for $15 as a Dover paperback).

Web Page: My webpage is located here: https://BillCookMath.com and
our course webpage is located here: https://BillCookMath.com/courses/math4720-spring2019.

Meeting times: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 10:00am – 10:50am in Walker Hall room 309 (unless otherwise announced).

Final Exam: The final exam will be held on Wednesday, May 8^th from 8:00am to 10:30am in Walker 309 (our regular classroom).

Lecturer:

Name:	Dr. William (Bill) Cook
Office:	Walker Hall 347
Office hours:	Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 9-10am & 11am-12pm Tuesday 9am-12pm
Phone:	(828) 262-2367
Email:	cookwj@appstate.edu
Webpage:	https://BillCookMath.com

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, "A study of intermediate group theory, including group actions and the Sylow theorems; and ring theory, including polynomial rings, factorizations in principal ideal domains, and modules."
Our semester will break up into 3 (very unequal) parts: Group Theory, Ring Theory, & Module Theory.

• Group Theory: We will begin by surveying & reviewing material covered in chapters I, II, & III (basic group theory) focusing on a few new examples and ideas which aren't covered in 3110 and begin discussing group actions. Then we will cover parts of chapter VII especially focusing on the Sylow theorems.
• Ring Theory: We will begin by reviewing the definition of a ring and some basic concepts. Then we will discuss factorization theory - starting with polynomials and irreducibility criterion. Then we generalize to Euclidean domains, Principal Ideal Domains, & Unique Factorization Domains. This is drawn from chapters IV, V, & IX.
• Module Theory: We will begin by studying basics about (ring) modules. Time permitting we will classify modules over a PID and then apply this result to group theory (classifying finitely generated abelian groups) and linear algebra (rational and Jordan canonical forms).

Your term grade will be based on the results of your tests and final project as well as your scores on quizzes, homework, and class participation. Here is more information about the individual components of your grade:

Tests: There will be two tests. The first test will focus on group theory and the second will focus on ring theory. Each test 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 all of the suggested problems is strongly recommended. Please ask questions about problems with which you have had difficulty. I will regularly assign sets of homework problems to be turned in for a grade. We may have a few quizzes (if needed). 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 and quizzes will make up 35% of your term grade.

Participation & Final Project: After the second test, everyone will pick out a topic for further study and make a (brief) proposal. I will look over and approve proposals for projects and then suggest some problems/issues for you to consider. Everyone will create a handout (at least one page front and back) to go with their presentation. These presentations will be given during the final exam period (and final class periods if necessary). Your handout, presentation, and overall class participation will make up 15% of your term grade.

In summary, here are the components of your term grade with corresponding weights:

Component	Weight
Tests	25% x 2 = 50%
Homework & Quizzes	35%
Final Project, Presentation & Participation	15%

Attendance: Don't miss class (this may hurt the class participation component of your grade). 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.

Fine Print: Copies of the academic integrity code, disability services information, religious observance policies can be found at https://academicaffairs.appstate.edu/resources/syllabi-policy-and-statement-information.