According to the ORC:   "This course will provide an introduction to fundamental algebraic structures, and may include significant applications.  The majority of the course will  consist of an introduction to the basic algebraic structures of groups and rings.  Additionoal work will consist of development of further algebraic structures or applications of the previously developed theory."  

Other goals include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Develop mathematical communication skills. In particular, students will deepen their understanding of mathematical proof: they will learn what it means to prove a mathematical statement; how to write a proof using various classical methods; how to write good, elegant proofs; etc.
• Work with peers to understand difficult concepts and develop problem solving skills.
• Explore and understand the connections between pure mathematical structures and the real world.

Note: Though slightly reworded, these goals (and much of this website) should be credited to last year's stellar Math 31 Instructor: Sarah Wright.

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Written homework will be assigned weekly and posted on the Blackboard site for this course. Assignments will be posted no later than Monday afternoon and will be collected at the beginning of class on Friday.  No late homework assignment will be accepted without prior permission from the instructor.   The grades for homework will be based on accuracy and completeness.  Because of the size of the class, and in an effort to get graded homework returned to you in a timely manner, it may become necessary to only grade and comment on a few homework problems.  In this case your entire assignment will be checked for completeness, and your accuracy score will be based on those few problems.  Solutions to the homework will be posted on the Blackboard site, and you are encouraged to visit office hours to discuss your solutions if you have questions. Students are welcome to work in groups to discuss general ideas and specific problems, but each student is expected to produce the final written homework set individually and independently.  So, take a few notes on the problem while you're working with the group, then use those notes while you're alone to write-up your final solution.  Include the names of the students you worked with.

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We will plan to use the X-hours every week. Generally, we will use these sessions to go over homework, quiz or exam solutions, to answer general questions from class, and to do activities designed to help solidify the ideas covered during lectures.  You will not receive any credit for an X-hour activity you are not present for, but you will be able to drop your lowest X-hour score from your final grade.  

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Quizzes

There will be a quiz the first ten minutes of class each Monday.  These quizzes are not designed to "stump" you, they are meant to keep everyone up to speed with the course.  The questions will ask you to state a definition we learned in the previous week, make a simple calculation, or give an example.  Attending class, and perhaps a short review of your lecture notes before the quiz, should be enough to get you 100% every time.  Like X-hours, you will not receive any credit for any quiz for which you are not present.  Note that quizzes take place at the beginning of class, I suggest being on time.

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There will be one midterm exam and a final exam.  Each exam will have an in-class portion as well as a take home portion.  The final will be cumulative, although it will focus more on the material covered after the midterm. 

If you have a conflict with the time or date for the midterm exam, you must meet with the instructor at least a week in advance to schedule a make-up time.  If you do not take the exam with the rest of the class, or during your scheduled make-up time, you will receive no credit for the exam.  The registrar schedules our final exam time, so I can not make special arrangements to accommodate your winter break travel plans.


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Though I will be keeping track of your numeric scores throughout the term, I will not assign a letter grade to any assignment until after the final exam is graded.  If you ever have a question about the grading policy, or about your standing in the course, please feel free to consult with me.

	Number Graded	% of Final Grade
Homework	8	20
X-hours	8	5
Quizzes	8	15
Midterm	1	25
Final	1	35

Dartmouth students are expected to adhere to the honor principle. In this course that means:

On Homework:  Students are welcome to work in groups to discuss general ideas and specific problems, but each student is expected to produce the final written homework set individually and independently.  So, take a few notes on the problem while you're working with the group, then use those notes while you're alone to write-up your final solution.  Include the names of the students with whom you worked.

On X-hours:  Each week's activity will have different rules regarding collaboration, allowable resources, and final product responsiblilty.  These rules will be stated clearly on the assignment.

On Quizzes and In-Class Exams:  All quizzes and in-class exams will be closed book.  This means that no help from any external source is allowed. 

On Take-Home Exams: Students may consult class notes, previous homework assignments and posted homework solutions as well as the assigned course text.  Students may not discuss any material relating to the exams with anyone other than the instructor. 

If you have any questions as to whether some action would be acceptable under the Academic Honor Code, please speak to me, and I will be glad to help clarify things.  This is a case in which it is definitely better to ask permission rather than forgiveness.

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