Abstract Algebra Spring 2017 (MAS 4301)
Little Hall 221, MWF6 (12:50–1:40)
Instructor information:
Office: Little Hall 412
Email: vatter@ufl.edu
Office hours: Monday 7th period (1:55–2:45), Wednesday 8th period (3:00–3:50), and by appointment
Text:
Contemporary Abstract Algebra, 8th edition, by Joseph Gallian. There is now a 9th edition, but any edition should be sufficient (homework assignment will not make reference to the book).
Course Content:
An introduction to algebra, concentrating on the theory of groups (Chapters 0-11) with some coverage of rings (Chapters 12-18) if time permits.
Expectations:
Each student is expected to invest a significant amount of work and thought outside the classroom for every hour of lecture. Moreover, work submitted for a grade in this course will be graded in a most rigorous fashion, and thusly, such work should have a great deal of thought and care put into it. Work which is sloppy or messy or that which is not written in a clear and coherent fashion will be marked down. This includes losing points for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and similar offenses. This course is a gateway course to many upper-division mathematics courses, and the high level of work that will be expected in this course is to ensure that students who pass this course have the best opportunity for success in future math courses.
Assignments & grading:
We will have three exams throughout the semester, the dates of which will be announced soon. No books or notes will be allowed during the exams.
In addition to the exams, homework will be collected and graded roughly once a week, for a total of 10–15 problems throughout the semester.
Scores will be recorded in Canvas. No scores will be dropped.
Your course score will consist of your homework average (25% of the score) and the three midterm exams (each 25% of the score). Final letter grades will be assigned on a curve, which will be no tougher than the 10-point scale: 90%–100% will be some form of A, 80–90% will be at least some form of B, etc.
If you have a disagreement with the grading of one of your solutions, I ask that you submit a written request for reconsideration within two weeks.
Grading will be in accordance with the UF policy stated at https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx.
Miscellaneous:
Honor Code: UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” TheHonor Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor.
Class Attendance: Attendance will not be monitored. If you are going to miss a day that homework is due, I ask that you either have someone else in the class bring your homework or email it to me before class. 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: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, https://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/) 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.
Online Evaluations: Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/.
Complaints: The official UF policy for filing a complaint about the course may be found here.
Contact information for the Counseling and Wellness Center: https://counseling.ufl.edu/, 392-1575; and the University Police Department: 392-1111 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.
U Matter, We Care: Your well-being is important to the University of Florida. The U Matter, We Care initiative is committed to creating a culture of care on our campus by encouraging members of our community to look out for one another and to reach out for help if a member of our community is in need. If you or a friend is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu so that the U Matter, We Care Team can reach out to the student in distress. A nighttime and weekend crisis counselor is available by phone at 352-392-1575. The U Matter, We Care Team can help connect students to the many other helping resources available including, but not limited to, Victim Advocates, Housing staff, and the Counseling and Wellness Center. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.