Math 441: Abstract Algebra I

 

Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Bergner

Phone: 677-5429

Office: HS 114

 

Class Policies

Homework: See attached homework statement (under construction).   Homework will be assigned daily and a subset of problems collected at the beginning of class each Wednesday unless otherwise noted. 

 

Homework redos: You will be allowed to redo “proof” exercises.  If the homework to be redone is handed back to you on a Monday, the redo (along with the original work) is to be handed back in the following Monday.  If it is handed back on a Wednesday, then the redo work is to be handed back in the following Wednesday.

 

Journals:  These will be emailed to me about once every three weeks, approximately five of these for the class.  See attached “What is a journal?” statement.  Some of these will be directed journal entries, others will be reflections on how your learning is going. They will not be accepted late, late postings will earn a 0.  When appropriate you may be asked to write some of your journals by hand, otherwise, they must be typed and sent to me through your homepage at webct.

 

Exams: There will be periodic in class exams (2 to 4) and at least one take-home exam, with a maximum of four exams. The exam dates and material covered by them will be announced in class. It is the student's responsibility to find out what announcements he/she missed by coming late, leaving early, or missing class. There will also be a final exam during the exam period. A make-up exam will be allowed, provided that "official" documentation explaining your absence is supplied and notification of your absence is given prior to the exam by e-mail or phone message.

Final exam: This is a mandatory exam.  To earn an A in the class a student must obtain at least a C on the final.  An F on the final will drop the student at least one letter grade ( e.g. if you have an 89% before the final you will be dropped to a C).

Class Participation and Attendance: Attendance is highly suggested, however I reserve the right to not repeat lessons over material that was covered in a class session you chose not to attend. If you miss class it is your responsibility to learn the material covered and to make yourself aware of any announcements. 

Laboratory Exercises: We will be doing labs out of the PascGalois project periodically.  These can be worked on in groups (of up to 3 people). 

Grading Policy: Course grades will be assigned as follows: A= 90% or higher, B= 80-89%, C= 70-79%, D= 60-69%.  Your performance will be weighted as follows:

 

         Homework and journals and                    

                                lab write-ups                  50%

         Hour exams                                            30%

         Comprehensive final exam                       20%

                                                                     100%

 

Class Format: Primarily informal lectures with questions encouraged at appropriate times. If appropriate there will be collaborative group work and student presentations of problems and exercises.  During lab sessions you will be encouraged to work together on the mathematics, please refrain from too much socializing during labs as this hinders others and yourselves.   Please try to come to class on time! If for some reason you must be late, enter quietly and try to avoid disturbing the lecture.

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Click here for the course agreement.  This needs to be submitted the second class session you attend.