MAS 4301
Spring 2025
______________________________________________________
Time: MWF period 4
Place: Little 217
Phone: 352-294-2339
Office: 438 Little Hall
Email: avince@ufl.edu
Textbook: Contemporary Abstract Algebra by J. Gallian (10th edition)
Office Hours: MWF period 5 (or by appointment)
Abstract algebra is the study of sets endowed with operations on their elements. This leads to a
broad generalization of ordinary addition and multiplication of real numbers. The main algebraic structure covered in this course is called a group, but rings and fields will also be mentioned.
Topics
Introduction
Set notation
A little number theory
Equivalence relations
Symmetry
Groups
Examples
Subgroups
Permutation groups
Cyclic groups
Isomorphism
Cosets and Lagrange's Theorem
Direct product and the Fundamental Theorem of Abellian Groups
Normal subgroups and factor groups
Homomorphism
The class formula
Sylow's theorems
Finite simple groups
Rings
Examples
Basic properties
Homework
See canvas
Grades
Four exams, a few questions on each exam. The lowest grade is dropped if all four exams are taken. Each exam has equal weight.
Exam 1. February 3
Exam 2. February 26
Exam 3. March 26
Exam 4. April 21
There will be biweekly homework assignments. Students will have a chance to present their solutions. The homework itself will count toward the final grade.
The exams will be graded on a sliding scale, the harder the exam, the more lenient the grading. Out of 100, it will never be stricter than 90A, 80B, 70C, 60D.
Exam and homework grades will be posted on the canvas Grades section within a week, but usually sooner.
Campus Resources
The course will be conducted in accordance with the Academic Honesty Policy and policy regarding the use of copyrighted material.
Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.
Academic advise and tutoring, as well as health advise (physical and mental) is available to students.
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at: Attendance Policies
Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points may be found at: Grades
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing a course evaluation online via GatorEvals. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals or in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals.