MAT 455 -- Spring 2006
Abstract Algebra II

TuTh, 1:00-2:15 pm
Chambers 1006

Course Description
Instructor:
Stephen L. Davis; click here for my weekly schedule.

Texts:
John B. Fraleigh, A First Course in Abstract Algebra (7e), Addison Wesley/Pearson, 2003
John Swallow, Exploratory Galois Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Roster:
Drew Carey, Jeb Coleman, Bridget Cook, John Helms, Erin Price, Tim Rankin

Instructor comments:

Topics in this course include topics in group theory and ring theory, extension fields, straight-edge and compass constructions, Galois Theory, and solvability by radicals. We will use Mathematica to support computations in algebraic field extensions.

Attendance:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students. You are responsible for all material discussed in class, whether you are present, tardy or absent. Absences in excess of four (4) TuTh classes will qualify you for a failing grade in this course. (Note: This class will meet on May 2. We will not meet on January 12 and March 30.)

Evaluation:

Class will be run "seminar" style: all members of the class will be responsible for preparation and presentation (oral and written) of material and exercises. There will be a couple of reviews and a final examination. The recipe for your grade in this course is distributed as roughly

Schedule Guesstimate:

( volatile! )
Date Section Event
Jan 10, 12 Fraleigh
16,17 		MAA/AMS mtg
no class 		group theory
& preliminaries
Jan 17, 19 34 35
Jan 24, 26 36 Swallow
1, 2
Jan 31, Feb 2 3, 4 ..
Feb 7, 9 6, 7 ..
Review 		Review #1
Feb 14, 16 8, 9 .. algebraic numbers;
field extensions;
min. polynomials
Feb 21, 23 11, 12 ..
Feb 28, Mar 2 Spring Break
Mar 7, 9 14 ..
Mar 14, 16 16 17
Mar 21, 23 18 19
Mar 28, 30 ..
Review 		MAA-SE mtg
no class 		Review #2
Apr 4, 6 21 .. mult. gen. fields;
Galois corresp.
Apr 11, 13 23, 24 25
Apr 18, 20 Easter Break ..
Apr 25, 27 27, 28 ..
May 2, 4 debrief Reading Day
May 5-10 Final Examination