Math 4/544	Intro to Abstract Algebra I	Fall 2009
CRN 13729/13735	MWF 1:00-1:50, 306 Deady	Prof. Marie Vitulli

Office: 310 Fenton Hall	Phone: 541-346-5633
E-mail: vitulli@uoregon.edu	Web: http://www.uoregon.edu/~vitulli

Text: Abstract Algebra, Third Edition, by John A. Beachy and William D. Blair, Waveland Press, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.math.niu.edu/~beachy/abstract_algebra/

Prerequisites/Course Content: The prerequisite for this course is Math 342. We will use techniques and examples from linear algebra throughout the course so a working knowledge of linear algebra is essential. The three major structures studied in abstract algebra are groups, rings, and fields. During the first term of the 3-term sequence we will gradually build up our mathematical sophistication and proof-reading and writing levels as we study various algebraic concepts. We start off with a chapter on the integers and follow this with a chapter on functions, equivalence relations, and permutations. After these introductory sections we begin our study of groups.

Office Hours: My office hours tentatively are:

Monday: 2:00 - 3:00

Tuesday: 2:00-3:00

Wednesday: 3:00 - 4:00

Exams/Homework: There will be 2 in-class exams during the regular class hour (see Important Dates below for tentative schedule). In addition, there will be homework problems assigned daily that usually will be due in my outside mailbox by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, starting October 7^th. The lowest homework score will be dropped. Late homework will not be accepted. If you miss class it is your responsibility to find out what we covered from someone else in the class. A make-up for any of the exams will not be given unless you have a compelling reason and my prior consent.

Course Grade: I will tentatively determine your course grade by the following weights.

Homework

20%

Exam 1

25%

Exam 2

25%

Final

30%

Important Dates
Sept. 29 [U]	Classes begin
October 5 [W]	Last day to: drop a class without a mark of ‘W’ recorded
October 7	Last day to: add a class; change from audit to credit or credit to audit
October 23 [F]	Math 4/544 Exam 1 at 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 15 [Su]	Last day to: drop a class with a mark of ‘W’ recorded; change grade options; change variable credits
Nov. 23 [M]	Math 4/544 Exam 2 at 1:00 p.m.
November 26-27	Thanksgiving holiday; No classes
December 8 [U]	Math 4/544 Final Exam at 3:15 p.m.

Classroom Behavior:

• Class starts promptly at 1:00 p.m. You should be in your seat and ready to begin class at this time. Class ends at 1:50 p.m. Packing up your things early is disruptive to your fellow students and to me.
• If you enter the classroom late or need to leave early please sit near a door. Walking across the room during the lecture is disrespectful of your fellow students and me.
• Attendance and classroom participation is a necessary part of this course. To participate you must attend class having prepared the materials for the day.

• Please raise your hand to be recognized.
• Please turn your cell phones off during class. If the phone rings it will be embarrassing for you and disturbing for everyone else in the class.
• Remove your ear buds and close down your computers. I won’t tolerate web surfing or email activities during lecture.
• Classroom discussion should be civilized and respectful to everyone and relevant to the topic we are discussing. If you miss a lecture please ask someone else in the class for lecture notes; we can’t use class time to revisit a topic that was covered in your absence.

Academic Dishonesty: The university has detailed guidelines covering various forms of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, and academic misconduct. This information can be online at academic-dishonesty.html. You may work with fellow students on your homework assignments but I expect that what you turn in or complete online is your own work in your own words. I expect that you won’t consult anyone else’s paper on exams. I will hold you responsible for academic dishonesty if you don’t follow my and university guidelines.