Abstract algebra, MA 330 Spring 2009

Instructor: Daniel Groves, 538 SEO e.mail

Course webpage: http://www.math.uic.edu/~groves/teaching/2008-9/330

Required text: Joseph A. Gallian; Contemporary Abstract Algebra; 6th edition, Houghton Mifflin.

Course hours: Monday - Wednesday - Friday, 1:00-1:50 PM.

Office hours (Prof. Groves):

Monday 2pm, Wednesday 2pm, Friday 10am

TA: Richard Abdelkerim

Office Hours (TA):
Tues 1-2, Thurs 11-12 (SEO 724)
Tues 11-12, Thurs 1-2 (MSLC)

Grading Scheme:
Midterms (2) - 40%, Homework - 20%, Final - 40%.

Reading: There will be a syllabus updated during the semester (see Weekly Schedule below). It is wise to read the appropriate sections before the lectures.

Homework: Homework will be due weekly (at the beginning of class on the due date). See below for the specific exercises. No late homework will be accepted, any homework submitted after the deadline will be given zero credit. The lowest score will be dropped when calculating your grade.

Midterms: There will be two midterms each taking place during regular class hours. The dates for these will be announced shortly.

Midterm 1: In class on Wednesday, February 11 (1pm).
Midterm 1 covers Chapters 0-4 of Gallian, plus whatever extra material has been covered in class or homework up to the lecture on Wednesday, February 4. There will be a review in class on Monday February 9, so come prepared to ask questions.
Good preparation for the midterm are the review exercises for Chapters 1-4 in Gallian. (Though you can reasonably expect the midterm to be easier than most of these questions.)

  • Here are some worked solutions for midterm 1.

    Midterm 2: In class on Friday, April 10, 2009 (noon).
    The second midterm will cover through the end of Chapter 10 in Gallian. There will be an in-class practice midterm on Friday April 3, and a review on Wednesday April 8.
    There are also practice problems listed below.

  • Here is the practice midterm and here are the worked solutions.


  • Here are worked solutions to Midterm 2.

    The midterms and final exam will consist of exercises resembling the homework exercises. So doing exercises equals good exam preparation.

    The only valid excuses for missing a midterm are medical, and a letter from a doctor is required. There are no makeup exams, so if you miss a midterm (with a valid reason as above) the score from the other midterm will count for the midterm score.

    Final exam: The Final will take place on Monday, May 4 from 1pm-3pm in A3.

    The final will cover all of Gallian up to the end of Chapter 15 except for Chapter 11.

    Here is a practice final. And here are some worked solutions.

    Weekly Schedule:
    • Week beginning on January 12: Chapters 0,1,2.
    • Week beginning on January 19 (which is a holiday): Chapters 1,2.
    • Week beginning on January 26: Chapters 2,3.
    • Sorry for the break. Up to the midterm on February 11: Chapters 1-4.
    • Week beginning February 16: Chapters 5,6,7.
    • Week beginning February 23: Chapters 7,8,9.
    • Week beginning March 2: Chapters, 8,9,.
    • Week beginning March 9: Chapters 8,9,10.
    Homework exercises:
    Note: The homework below is what needs to be submitted for your grade. This is not enough work for you to be familiar with the material. It is strongly recommended that you also do as many of the odd-numbered exercises in Gallian as possible. The answers to these are in the back of the book.

    • Due January 16, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 0, pp. 23-24: 2,8,12,16,22. (If you do not yet have the text, here are the first week's problems.)
    • Due January 23, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 0, p.24: 24, 30, Chap. 1, p.37: 6, 8. (If you still do not have the text, here are the second week's problems.)
    • Due January 30, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 1, p.38: 14, 16, Chap. 2, p.54: 8, 14, 22.
    • Due February 6, 2009, 1pm: HW 4
    • Due February 20, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 5, pp.112-113: 6, 18, 22, 30, Chap. 6, p.132: 2, 14. (Worked solutions to HW 5 here.)
    • Due February 27, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 6, pp.133-134: 24, 28, 32, 38, Chap. 7, p.148: 6, 8. (Worked solutions to HW 6 here.)
    • Due March 6, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 7, pp.148-51: 22, 24, 30, 40, 42, 44. (Worked solutions to HW 7 here.)
    • Due March 13, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 8, p.165: 2, 4, 12. Chap. 9, p.191: 4, 10, 14. (Worked solutions to HW 8 here.)
    • Due March 20, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 9, p.192: 16, 18, 22. Chap. 10, pp.210-11:6, 8, 12, 14.
      • (Worked solutions to HW 9 here.)
    • Spring Break Practice Problems here. (These are not to be turned in for grading, just for your own edification.) (Worked solutions to Spring Break Problems here.)
    • Due April 17, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 12, p.241-242: 10, 18, 20, 30. Chap. 13, p.254-255: 4, 10, 12. (Worked solutions to HW 10 here.)
    • Due April 24, 2009, 1pm: Chap. 13, p.255: 18, 22. Chap. 14, p.268-270: 4, 8, 10, 12, 14. (Worked solutions to HW 11 here.)