Math 3230: Abstract Algebra I
Instructor: Emily Gunawan
Office hours: see office hours, located at Monteith Bldg, room MONT 402
Instructor’s schedule: See instructor’s regular schedule here
Class location: MONT319,
see Fall 2019 math course schedule
Meeting times: MWF 3:35 - 4:25
Course website: egunawan.github.io/algebra
Course Piazza: piazza.com/uconn/fall2019/algebra/home and Piazza sign up link
Textbook: Online textbooks and lecture notes
Visual Group Theory textbook: PDF (free access with UConn login), errata
The word “algebra” comes from the Arabic word “al-jebr”. This roughly translates to “reunion”, which describes what we do when we combine like terms to solve an equation. In this course we will see that algebra is much more than a tool for solving equations. We will study algebraic structures such as groups and rings, with groups being the main focus.
In addition to gaining an understanding and appreciation of an interesting and important area of mathematics, you will also learn to develop and communicate original mathematical ideas, both verbally and in writing. The subject of mathematical writing will be regularly discussed in class, with many suggestions and guidelines for you to use in your work. You have already been exposed to these communication techniques in Transition to Advanced Mathematics (and perhaps other courses), but this course is a serious step up. So prepare for this class to be both challenging and time-consuming, but very intellectually rewarding! The prerequisite for this course is Transition to Advanced Mathematics, and the recommended preparation is Linear Algebra. If you are undecided about whether to take the course, please talk to me about it!
I ask that you work on the rough drafts with others on these take-home problem sets, so that you can practice doing math collaboratively. Afterwards, you must do the write up on your own. If you are unsure about your solutions (and even if you are), you are encouraged to meet with me to go over your work before you submit it. All take-home problem sets will be submitted via an Overleaf link (with edit permission, so that I can make comments). Please sign up for an Overleaf account on https://www.overleaf.com.
The exams will be announced on schedule. Please speak to me soon if you will have a conflict or would need accomodation such as private space, extra time, etc (via Accessibility Services for Students).
Grades will be determined as follows:
| Homework, quizzes, presentations/participation: | 30% | |
| exams: | 70% |
However, if your final grade is better than one of the exams, that exam’s grade will be replaced by the final’s grade.
Please let me know ASAP (but within one week) if I’ve made mistakes in grading your assessments.
All announcements will be made on this course website. However, you can view your grades on HuskyCT lms.uconn.edu.
Please talk to me if you need access to technology during class. Otherwise, I expect you to turn off your phones, tablets, computers, etc. during class since these can be distracting.
Strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol or drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating, or lack of motivation may affect a student’s academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities. If you or someone you know expresses such health concerns or experiences a stressful event that can create barriers to learning, UConn services are available to assist you. Learn about confidential health services available on campus at counseling.uconn.edu Arjona Building, 4th floor, near Mirror Lake phone 860-486-4705. See also dos.uconn.edu/student-resources/.
If you see this sentence, please email me a fun picture of huskies.
The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) wants to ensure students with disabilities have the same access to programs, opportunities and activities as all others at UConn. If you think you have short-term or long-term disability, consider going to Accessibility Services for Students accessibility.uconn.edu/students/ or contacting CSD at 860-486-2020 or csd@uconn.edu for general information or to request a (confidental) student accommodation. You can give me a letter from the CSD at any time during the course of the semester in order to receive accommodations.
Also know that psychological problems are a disability in that they create a barrier to completing your work. A lot of people seek out mental health services for the first time in college. Please don’t neglect depression or stress. Get help! If at any point you feel depressed or stressed to the point that your academic work suffers, please take advantage of free counseling on campus through Counseling Services: counseling.uconn.edu Arjona Building, 4th floor, near Mirror Lake phone 860-486-4705.
UConns Student Conduct Code community.uconn.edu/the-student-code includes both academic integrity and compliance with the policy against discrimination, harassment, and interpersonal violence.
It is in everyone’s best interest to maintain their academic integrity. Any form of academic dishonesty undermines the goals of our course and devalues the learning process. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense at UConn and will result in an academic misconduct report and a failure in Math 3230. For more information, consult UConns guidelines for academic integrity: community.uconn.edu/the-student-code-appendix-a.
Unless stated otherwise, in this particular course (only this class - you should check with your professor for each class), you are free to work with other people and use technology on take-home assigments to aid your learning. Whenever you work with another person or get help from a different book or the internet on a take-home assignment, please credit them - write the person’s name, website address at the top of your submission.
Working with other people on mathematics is highly encouraged and fun. You may work with anyone on your take-home problems. but make sure to write up your final draft by yourself.
Please refer to http://provost.uconn.edu/syllabi-references/ for the common policies we follow at UConn. See the full policy statements.