Skip to main content
Department of Mathematics College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Algebra 1 MAT6932/0823/18937

Instructor

Prof.  Peter  Sin 

Time and Location

MWF 3, Lit 207

Office Hours:

T5,6,7 Little 432, and by appointment.

Description and Goals

Please note that our graduate course structure is being reformed. This course is the first part of a two semester sequence covering basic concepts and results in modern algebra, corresponding to the old version of the PhD Algebra sequence (MAS6331/2). This course may be taken as preparation for the PhD qualifying exam in algebra. Therefore, the recommended prerequisites are an introductory graduate level course in algebra such as the old first year algebra course MAS5311-12. New students who have not previously taken a graduate level algebra course should register in the new graduate algebra sequence MAS6331-2

Textbooks

  • Algebra, Thomas Hungerford, Springer Graduate Texts in Mathematics 73.
  • Abstract Algebra, 3rd Edition, by D. S. Dummit and R. M. Foote. A list of errata for this book is available here

    • These two books both cover all of the core topics. Notes will be provided for any topics that are not in these books. Either one of these books will suffice, but you may benefit from reading both, or prefer the style of one over the other. Hungerford’s book was used to plan the PhD Algebra exam syllabus, while many students already possess a copy of D&F from earlier courses. Exercises, based on these texts, will be distributed as assignments in Canvas.

    PhD Written Qualifying Exam

Course Calendar

The approximate dates on which topics will be covered are given in the course calendar.MAT6932-Calendar

Exams and Grades

Grades will be based on a midterm (40%) and a final exam (60%). Mathematical accuracy and clarity of exposition are
the qualities that will earn high marks. You will be allowed to bring one letter-size, two-sided sheet of your own notes to each exam.

If you think that a score has been computed incorrectly, please bring the matter to my attention within one day of your work being returned.

If you think that your work has been graded incorrectly, please submit an appeal in writing within seven days of your work being returned, explaining your reasons in detail. Appeals may result in a higher, unchanged, or lower score, depending on the merit of the appeal. Decisions on appeals are final. The final exam cannot be appealed.

This course complies with all UF academic policies. For information on those polices and for resources for students, please see this link.