Spring 2005
Math 4361/01

Modern Algebra
MW  6:30-7:45 PM Clendenin 1005
Professor: Dr. Joe DeMaio
Office: Science and Mathematics Building 525
Office Hours: MW 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM and by appointment
Phone: (770) 423-6568
e-mail: jdemaio@kennesaw.edu
Web Page: http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdemaio
Required Text: John B. Fraleigh, A First Course in Abstract Algebra, Seventh Edition

Learning Outcomes

1.      A student will demonstrate an understanding of elementary concepts of set theory.

2.      A student will demonstrate an understanding of the different sizes of infinity.

3.      A student will create one-to-one, onto and operation preserving mappings.

4.      A student will investigate group theory as an axiomatic development.

5.      A student will know the standard group definitions and examples.

6.      A student will read and write using standard mathematical notation.

7.      A student will understand cyclic groups and generators of groups.

8.      A student will understand permutation groups.

9.      A student will understand cosets, Lagrange’s Theorem and its implications.

10. A student will know The Fundamental Theorem of Finite Abelian Groups.

Grading

There will be six in-class quizzes and two take home exams.  Each quiz is worth 10% of your final grade.  Each exam is worth 20% of your final grade. In every testing situation in this class, you must show all your work in order to receive credit for a problem. The correct answer with no work will not earn full credit for a given problem. Incoherent scribbling with no cohesion will not earn significant partial credit for a given problem.  The most important part of a problem is not just the final answer but rather the method used to find the answer and communication of the material in question. Communication is an equally important part of your work! All work will be graded not only on mathematical content but on presentation and writing as well. Letter grades will be assessed on a 10-point scale. The final exam may be cumulative. No, I do not drop nor do I replace any grades! No, I do not give make-up tests! No, there are no extra credit projects! Cheating will result in the grade of an 'F' for the course!

Homework

There will be homework problems for each section covered. This homework will not be taken up and graded. It is to give you a point of reference from which to work. Test problems are often slight variations of homework problems if not the exact problem. The only way to succeed in this class is by doing all of the assigned homework! Merely, attending class will not be enough. A student will encounter a large number of techniques and examples in this course. It is vital to know and understand these new concepts. Successive lectures will assume knowledge of previously stated techniques and examples. One must keep up with this material on a day-to-day basis! Because homework problems are not graded, you are allowed and strongly encouraged to work together on homework problems. I believe that it is very beneficial to regularly work problems in small groups of two to four people. This will decrease your chances of getting stuck on a problem and give you someone, other than your instructor, with whom to discuss homework problems. Obviously however, you must also be able to work problems without guidance for testing situations.

While there is no homework grade, your instructor will feel no compulsion to go out of his way for a student who does not diligently work on assigned problems. 

Attendance

Every mathematics class is a building process from day one (actually, even from grade one). A student who misses classes has seriously compromised his or her knowledge of the material and will begin to feel an effect on their final grade. Attendance and class participation are important elements to incorporate into your study habits. I will distribute a sign-in sheet to document attendance at the beginning of each class. During the summer term I may, from time to time, distribute a second sign-in sheet after the break. Signing for another student will be treated as an honor code violation.

A student who misses a class is responsible for all material missed. Due to time constraints your instructor cannot re-present the lecture in a one-on-one setting. If circumstances dictate that a student will miss numerous class meetings, perhaps now is not the semester to take this course.

While there is no attendance grade, your instructor will feel no compulsion to go out of his way for a student who has a poor attendance record.

Final Grade

At the end of the semester, for reasons of privacy, I do not post grades. I also do not report grades to students over the phone or through e-mail. You are, of course, more than welcome to come to my office and see your final exam.

Test Dates and Final Exam

Quizzes will not be given at any other time. Plan your flights and vacations accordingly.

 

Misc.

Test

Monday, Jan. 10

First day of class

 

Monday, Jan. 17

Holiday

 

Weds, Jan. 26

 

Quiz I

Weds, Feb. 16

 

Quiz II

Weds, Feb. 23

Take home midterm disseminated

 

Weds, March 2

 

Quiz III and take home due

Friday, March 4

Last day to drop without academic penalty

 

Weds, March 23

 

Quiz IV

Monday, April 11

 

Quiz V

Monday, April 25

Take home final disseminated

Quiz IV

Weds, April 27

Last day of class

 

Monday, May 2

 

Final exam due

There is a much quoted story about David Hilbert, who one day noticed that a certain student had stopped attending class. When told that the student had decided to drop mathematics to become a poet, Hilbert replied, "Good--he did not have enough imagination to become a mathematician."

--- Robert Osserman

A mathematician is a machine for turning coffee into theorems.

--- Paul Erdos

Gotta pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues.

---R. Starkey