SYLLABUS
MAT 591-01: Advanced Modern Algebra
Fall 2008


Time & Place: TTh 0930-1045 Petty 123.

Instructor: Paul Duvall (Office: Petty 131), Office Hours: 9:30-11:00 MW.
Email: pfduvall@uncg.edu. You can always find an up-to-date version of this document as well as other information about the course at http://www.uncg.edu/~duvallp.

Text: First Course in Abstract Algebra Seventh Edition by John B. Fraleigh, Addison-Wesley -- ISBN-10: 0201763907, ISBN-13: 9780201763904

Tests:(tentative, subject to change) There will be

Two one-hour tests, 100 pts each;
A final exam, 150 pts; and
weekly quizzes and occasional homework, worth a total of 100 pts.
The weekly quiz will be given each Thursday, unless there is an hour test scheduled for that week. Some quizzes will be replaced by homework assignments. There will be no make-up quizzes. The final exam will be given Thursday, December 11, 8:00-11:00 am.

Make-ups: There will be no make-up tests. The exam score will be substituted for any hour tests missed, provided that you have received approval before the test is given.

Cheating: Will not be tolerated. Any cases of academic dishonesty will result in the harshest penalty allowable under University policy.

Grades: Will be calculated as a percentage of the 450 pts according to the following:

GRADEAA- B+BB-C+CC- D+DD-
POINTS NEEDED428413 394380366347332317 298285270

Attendance: Classroom activities are a fundamental part of this course, and consistent attendance is expected. Students with excessive absences may be dropped from the course. Students are responsible for all matters discussed in class, including the dates and nature of tests and assignments.

Prerequisites: Students enrolled in the course are expected to have passed MAT 311 with a grade of C or better. It is important that students be comfortable with proof techniques and routine algebraic manipulations.

Drops: I will approve retroactive and late withdrawals only in the most extreme and well-documented cases. Observe University deadlines.

The Course: This course is an introduction to the fundamental objects in modern algebra. You will find a list of suggested problems for each section we cover under "Notes and Problems for 591" on my web page. I urge you to attempt these problems and to ask about things that you find difficult.

Graduate Students: Students receiving graduate credit for 591 will be expected to show mastery of the concept of quotient object.