Class time will be divided between problem solving and lectures-on-demand. It is your responsibility to read the text and to engage in the struggle to achieve an understanding of the material before coming to class. I will attempt to illuminate those concepts that remain in the shadows in spite of your attempts to coax them out. Also, you will be asked to present problem solutions in class, and there will be regular written homework assignments for you to turn in for my inspection.
Collaboration on homework is encouraged, though anything you present or turn in should represent your understanding of the material. Homework is evaluated with letter grades.
There will be three reviews as indicated below. You will be tested on vocabulary, examples, and statements and proofs of major results, as well as on creative problem solving. Reviews will consist of two components: one to be completed on the designated day during class, and the other to "take home" and return at the start of the next class meeting. I anticipate that the final examination will be administered as a take home examination.
| Class Dates | Section Discussed | Event | Part Topic | ||
| Aug 22, 24, 26 | 0, 1 | 2 | .. | I (1--7): Groups and Subgroups | |
| Aug 29, 31, Sep 2 | 3 | 4 | .. | ||
| Sep 5, 7, 9 | 5 | 6 | .. | Sep 4---Bernard Lecture | |
| Sep 12, 14, 16 | 7 | .. | Review | Review #1 | |
| Sep 19, 21, 23 | 8 | 9 | .. | II (8--11): Permutations, Cosets, & Direct Products | |
| Sep 26, 28, 30 | 10 | 11 | .. | ||
| Oct 3, 5, 7 | 13 | 14 | .. | III (13--17) Homomorphisms & Factor Groups | |
| Oct 10, 12, 14 | no class | 15 | .. | ||
| Oct 17, 19, 21 | Review | 16 | 17 | Review #2 | |
| Oct 24, 26, 28 | .. | 18 | 19 | IV (18--23): Rings & Fields | |
| Oct 31, Nov 2, 4 | .. | 20 | 21 | ||
| Nov 7, 9, 11 | .. | 22 | 23 | ||
| Nov 14, 16, 18 | .. | Review | 26 | Review #3 | V (26--27): Ideals & Factor Rings |
| Nov 21, 23, 25 | 27 | Thanksgiving | |||
| Nov 28, 30, Dec 2 | .. | 45 | .. | IX (45) Factorization | |
| Dec 5, 7, 9 | .. | debrief | Exams | ||
| Dec 9--15 | Final Examination | ||||