Math 31, Winter 2005
Topics in Algebra
General Information
Contemporary Abstract Algebra (5th edition) by Joseph A. Gallian,
Houghton Mifflin Company.
(available at Wheelock Books)
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Please notice the change in the classroom location
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| Instructor |
Alexander Shumakovitch |
| Classroom |
101 Bradley Hall |
| Lecture (MWF) |
10:00 – 11:05 |
| X-hour |
Th 12:00 – 12:50 |
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| Office |
402 Bradley Hall |
| Office Hours |
TuF 6:00 – 7:00pm; Th 1:00 – 2:00pm
or by appt. |
| Phone |
646-1614 |
| E-mail |
BlitzMail |
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There will be two 50-minute quizzes scheduled during X-hours, one take-home
midterm and the take-home final exam. The quizzes and exams are scheduled as
follows:
| Exam |
Date |
Time |
| Quiz 1 |
January 20, Thursday |
12:00 – 12:50pm (X-hour) |
| Midterm |
February 2, Wednesday |
due February 7, Monday |
| Quiz 2 |
February 24, Thursday |
12:00 – 12:50pm (X-hour) |
| Final |
March 12, Saturday |
due March 16, Wednesday |
You will have the whole final examination period to work on the final
take-home exam, though it should not require more than a few hours if
you know the material.
You are expected to work alone on the exams. If the exam is take-home,
then you may use any printed matter (or your class notes) of your choice but
you may not consult one another or other humans. If the exam is
in-class, then you cannot use any book or class notes, unless
explicitly allowed to do so. The honor principle applies.
If you have a legitimate conflict with the exams dates and times, please
contact the instructor as soon as possible, do not wait until shortly before
the exam.
Note.
Exams will not be given early to accommodate travel plans.
- Homework sets will be assigned for each class but are to be handed in
weekly. Assignments for a given week are
usually to be submitted in class next
Wednesday. The first exception to this rule will be on the second
week. The homework assigned on January 5, 7, and 10 will
be due on January 14, Friday. The
homework assigned on January 12, 13, and 14 will be due
on January 19, Wednesday. There
will also be appropriate adjustments for holidays. You can check the exact due
dates on the Homework Assignments web
page.
- Besides usual written assignments, additional practice problems will be
listed for some classes. You are strongly encouraged to solve these problems, but please do not hand in solutions to them. Their sole purpose
is to help you better prepare for the exams. Although these practice problems
will not be graded, neglecting them can degrade your exam performance.
- Late homeworks will not be accepted.
Unexcused late and missing papers count
zero.
- More details are posted on the Homework
Assignments web page.
The homework scores not only count count towards your
final grade and allow you to practice and refine your skills
but, historically, those students who do the homework sets
regularly fair better on the exams.
The course grade will be based upon the scores on the two quizzes, midterm and
final exams, and homework.
| Two Quizzes |
60 points each |
| Midterm Exam |
100 points |
| Final Exam |
150 points |
Homework
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80 points
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| Total |
450 points |
- On Exams: No help given or received. All the in-class quizzes and exams
are closed notes, closed books. This means that you are not allowed to use
your notes and textbooks, unless explicitly allowed to do so. You cannot
consult any other human (students and professors included, but not
limited to) on either in-class or take-home exams.
- On Homework: Collaboration is permitted and encouraged, but NO COPYING. Discussions of
the general ideas of the class with instructors, tutors, fellow students and
others are desirable. However, each student is expected to complete his or
her assignments individually and independently.
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.