Math 403 – Introduction to Abstract Algebra

Fall 2005

Lectures

            MWF 12:00-12:50pm (MTH 0101)

  

Instructor

Professor Niranjan Ramachandran (atma at math dot umd dot edu)

Office: Math Building 4115 (405-5080)

Office hours: Wednesdays 1pm - 2pm, Fridays 2pm - 3pm.

 

Class web page

http://www.math.umd.edu/~atma/math403.html


Text

Contemporary Abstract Algebra by Joseph A. Gallian (Sixth Edition). 

Description
        This is a first course in abstract algebra. The topics are groups, rings, and fields.  We will cover most of the material in Parts 1-3 of the text.  The course is both theoretical and example oriented. It is necessary to learn to do rigorous proofs.  In fact this is perhaps the main point of the course. This course is a good preparation for graduate studies in mathematics.

Prerequisites
        Math 240 and Math 241, or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of Math 402 or Math 403. Although the only formal prerequisites are Math 240, 241, students will benefit from some prior experience with mathematical proofs such as Math 310, Math 410, Math 405, or Math 406.


Tests

There will be two 1 hour tests (in class) with 100 points for each test.

No make-up tests will be given.

If you have to miss a test and you have a written excuse according to the University Policies, then you will be given 50% extra credit on the final.

The final exam will be a take-home due 12/14/05 and worth 100 points).


The problems for the take-home are from the textbook. Pages 90-93: 4,36

Pages 230-232: 14,16,24,28,30,32

Pages 275-277: 22, 30


Please see the webpage Final Exam for the official schedule.
 


Please see the university regulations on academic integrity.
 

Homework

Homework problems will be assigned every week and they are due Mondays in class.

 

Grader Ninad Jog, ninad@umd.edu, Office hours TBA

           
Grading

Two 1 hour exams

 200 points

Final Exam

 200 points

Homework

 100 points

Total

 500 points

 

Test dates (tentative)

Test 1:  Monday, 3rd October. 

Test 2: Monday, 7th November

Final exam: See above for information from Testudo

 

Testbank (previous final exams)
 

Homework problems  (to be updated during the semester)

Homework 1 (due  9/12/2005)

Chapter 0: 4,10,14,16,28,48.  

Homework 2 (due  9/19/2005)

Chapter 2: 4,6,8,14,24,26,36. Chapter 3: 8,10,12  

Homework 3 (due  9/26/2005)

From pages 82-86. they are #8,12,14,20,24,30,32,36,48,54. 

Solutions to Homeworks 1,2,3  

Homework 4 (due  10/3/2005)

Chapter 5: #4,6,10,20,22,26,28,30,38,44. 

Homework 5 (due  10/10/2005)

Chapter 6: #4,10,12,18,20,24,38,40. 

Homework 6 (due  10/17/2005)

1. Let (S, *) be the group of all real numbers except -1 under the operation * defined by a*b = a + b + ab. (so 5*3 = 5 + 3 + 15) (Check for yourself that this is a group!). Show that (S, *) is isomorphic to the group (R*, x) of nonzero real numbers under multiplication. Actually, define an isomorphism f: R* ---> S.

Chapter 6: 30, 42, 43. Chapter 7: 2,8,10.  

Solutions to Homeworks 4,5,6  


Homework 8 (due  11/21/2005)

Chapter 10: #16,22,24,34,36,54. 

Chapter 11: #6,10,20,26,30. 

Supplementary Exercises: #30 (page 232). 


Homework 9 (due   12/5/05)

Chapter 24: #4,8,12,30,44. 

Chapter 12: #2,4,6,12,26,48. 

Solutions to Homeworks 9,10  


Last modified: 9 December 2005