Mat 3500

Abstract Algebra 

Spring 2008 

Instructor: Dr. Alice Deanin

Office: SAC 371

Office Phone: x9-4817

Office Hours: TuTh 1-2,  4-5;

appointment recommended

Course Description:  This course is required for math majors and strongly recommended for math minor and math ed majors.  That makes it sound very important.  While the concepts and constructs are basic enough to enjoy wide application, the importance of this course is the methodology and perspective that it will introduce (the cycle of experimentation, observation, definition, conjecture, counterexample, proof).  Algebra is a subject that generally arouses strong feelings (from delight to disgust, with little in between).  The novelty of this presentation will hopefully keep all students, if not enchanted, entertained and certainly busy.

This course is writing enriched (High in saturated writing).

Text: Contemporary Abstract Algebra, 6^th ed., Joseph A. Gallian, 2006 Houghton Mifflin Company.

Classroom:  We will be meeting in Mendel 256.  The class meetings will start with everyone together for a review of the preceding meeting and questions raised, and description of the general program for the present meeting.  . Students will then have class time to collaborate on examples, worksheets, and exercises.  The class will reconvene briefly at the end of class for a recap and completion of a meeting summary and question form.

Comp. :  There is a computational skill set that is expected as a result of completion of an algebra course.  Acquisition of these skills will be assessed with some drill computational exercises and short answer questions in a test format. These computational competency (aka comp.comp.= comp.^2 ) tests will be administered on Thursday, 28 February, the class before midterm, and on Thursday, 1 May, the last class of the semester.

Exercise Archives:  The text has a nice collection of traditional computational exercises.  The class will collectively produce an archive of solutions for assigned exercises.  (Note the text has answers for the odd numbered exercises.)  These archives are great for studying for comp^2 tests. We will try posting the archive solutions in our classroom while Alice figures out how to post it on WebCT.  All original papers will be returned.

Moderated BB Exercises:  Some of the text exercises will be assigned for discussion on a WebCT discussion blog.  All students are expected to participate in these by making postings to the blog during the assignment period. In addition, a student will be assigned to each exercise as its moderator.  A good level of participation would be for each student to post to two problems per week, other than the one they are assigned to moderate.  Moderators will close the blog with a summary solution at the end of the assignment period. 

Written Homeworks: In addition to the archive exercises, there will be exercises in writing solutions to mathematical problems. They will be graded for correctness in mathematical usage, logic, and writing.  These written exercises may be revised until all three components are satisfactory.  The goal is to develop or advance individual technical writing style.  Each student must write these exercises up individually, even if worked as part of a study group.

Written Class Recap: These are to be completed by each student in attendance at the end of each class on the form provided.

Projects:  The text provides opportunities for visual and computational exercises.  Each student is expected to submit something for the visual exercise, and a lab report for at least one of these computer exercises during the semester.  In addition, each student will complete a term project, including an investigation, outside reading, a Fair presentation, and a written report. Term projects may be assigned to student pairs.

Fair:  The Algebra Fair this year will be run as a poster session, with optional short presentations.  It will be held during our scheduled final exam period, Monday, 5 May, 10:45AM-1:15PM.  All students will display their projects and review others’ projects.  Students may elect (or be "invited") to give a demonstration.

Grading: Grading in this course will be

Remark:  This is a long description because the class operates in an unusual manner.  The workload is fairly even throughout the semester; it is not intended to be crushed into cramming spikes.  Attendance is very important; what you have to contribute is valuable. There are different ways to be successful in this class, and it is my hope that you will experience many of them.