Math 502 - Fall 1999 - Math 503 - Spring 2000 - Abstract Algebra, I and II

Instructor: Andrew Kresch
Lectures: MWF 11-12, DRL 3C4
Additional course meetings: W 6:30-8:30, DRL 3C4

Course description:

This course is the advanced undergraduate algebra sequence (Math 502-503). Topics covered in Math 502 are: groups, linear algebra, and basic facts about matrix groups. Topics covered in Math 503 are: group representations, rings, modules, fields, and Galois theory.

Text:

Michael Artin, Algebra, Prentice-Hall, 1991.

Teaching Assistant:

Rohit Chadha, DRL 4N37, phone 8-5078, e-mail rchadha@math.upenn.edu

Office hours:

Instructor's office hours: M 1-2, F 10-11 and by appointment (DRL 4N53)

TA's office hours: (to be filled in) (DRL 4N37)

Wednesday evening sessions:

These are very important. Please attend these every week. The structure is as follows: if the problem set due in any given week has only ``A'' problems, then that week's Wednesday evening session will be a problem review session with the TA; but if the problem set has ``B'' problems as well as ``A'' problems, then the Wednesday evening session will consist of students presenting problems while the instructor looks on. Since problem presentations account for 40 percent of one's grade (see Grades, below), it is important to attend and present problems at these sessions.

** The weekly problem sets will alternate between those having only ``A'' problems and those having ``A'' and ``B'' problems. There will be ``B'' problems on the problem sets due February 2, February 16, etc.

Exams:

There will be no exams in this course.

Homework:

Handed out weekly in class. All problems should be written up and handed in, the following week, at the Wednesday evening session, or by 5:00 in the instructor's mailbox. When the problem set has ``B'' problems then students will present these problems in the Wednesday evening session. You are encoraged to work with others on the problems, but please do the write-ups individually.

Grades:

Grades are based entirely on homework: 60 percent written homework and 40 percent oral presentations of ``B'' problems on Wednesday evenings.