Math 31
Topics in Algebra
General information
Instructor: Bjoern Muetzel
E-Mail: bjorn.mutzel-at-dartmouth.edu
Office: 318 Kemeny Hall
Office Hours: MW 3-4:30 pm
Lectures: MWF 12:50-1:55 pm in KH 108
x-hour: Tu 1:20-2:10 pm in KH 108
During the x-hour I will be usually available in my office, but x-hours will be occasionally used for class work.
Textbook
Charles C. Pinter: A Book of Abstract Algebra, 2nd edition
Exams
There will be a midterm exam, a cumulative final exam and a small project. The exams are scheduled as follows:
| Midterm Exam I | Thursday, October 6 from 4-6 pm | Carpenter Hall 013 |
| Midterm Exam II | Thursday, October 27 from 4-6 pm | Carpenter Hall 013 |
| Solving the cube | Tuesday, November 15 from 1:20-2:10 pm | KH 108 |
| Essay about the cube | due Thursday, November 17 at 4 pm | KH 318 |
| Final Exam | Tuesday, November 22 from 8-11 am | KH 007 |
If you have a conflict with the midterm exam because of a religious observance, scheduled extracurricular activity such as a game or performance [not practice], scheduled laboratory for another course, or similar commitment, please see your instructor as soon as possible.
Grades
The course grade will be based upon the scores on the midterm exams, homework, the final exam and a project about the Rubik's cube as follows:
| Percentage | |
| Homework | 20% |
| Midterm Exams | 20% each |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Essay about the cube | 5% |
| Solving the cube | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
Homework Policy
- Written assignments will be assigned weekly.
- Extensions may (and usually will) be granted if requested before the due date.
- Late homework will not be accepted.
- The lowest homework grade will be dropped.
- Use English to write down your solution. If you can't read your solutions aloud as fluently as if you were reading your textbook, try using nouns and verbs in your write ups! You should also give references for theorems or propositions you use from the text and class.
- Consult the honor principle (below) as it applies to this course.
The Honor Principle
Academic integrity is at the core of our mission as mathematicians and educators, and we take it very seriously. We also believe in working and learning together.
On Homework: Collaboration is permitted and encouraged, but no copying, and to be clear, this means no copying even from a board or scrap of paper on which a solution was hashed out collaboratively. What a student turns in as a homework solution is to be his or her own understanding of how to do the problems. The solutions you submit must be written by you alone. Any copying (electronic or otherwise) of another person's solutions, in whole or in part, is a violation of the Academic Honor Code.
On Exams: Students may not receive assistance of any kind from any source (living, published, electronic, etc), except the professor, and may not give assistance to anyone. Matters of clarification are to be left to the professor. 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. It is always easier to ask beforehand.
Special Considerations
Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need disability-related classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see their instructor as soon as possible. Also, they should stop by the Academic Skills Center in Collis Center to register for support services.