Math 301-01: Abstract Algebra I
Fall 2001
10:55-12:00 MWF in OSS 122

Professor: Brenda K. Kroschel
Office: OSS 208, Phone: 962-5537
Mail: #OSS 201, E-mail: bkkroschel@stthomas.edu
Homepage: http://webcampus.stthomas.edu/mathematics/bkkroschel
Office hours: M: 2:45-3:30 pm, T: 1:30-3:00 pm, Th: 10:30 am-noon
F: 9-9:30am, or by appointment

Prerequisite

Successful completion of Math 210 or its equivalent.

Attendance

Although not included in the grading, regular attendance is expected. You will get more out of the class and the class will be more lively if you keep up on the material and participate in class. You are expected to read the material before coming to class. Students are reponsible for acquiring any material missed when they are absent.

Text

A First Course in Abstract Algebra by John B. Fraleigh, Addison Wesley Longman.
Chapters covered : 0, 1.1-1.5, 2.1-2.4, 3.1-3.3 (some selecetions from 3.4-3.6, and 5.1-5.2

Click here for a tentative schedule of the semester.

Homework and Quizzes
 
Homework
Homework will be assigned everyday, but collected about every 2 weeks (the schedule may change when exams are scheduled.) I encourage you to work together. Form study groups and share ideas and solutions with each other. However, you must write up your assignments on your own and it is a good idea to give credit to other students if they gave you the key idea into how to prove something, for example. I will happily answer questions on portions of problems with which you are having difficulty in class. However, there is not enough class time to answer all questions in class. More extensive help on problems should be done during office hours. Most times, I will try to help get you started, but I will not write complete proofs for you.
 
It is expected that you will work 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class. This means 6-9 hours per week. Your grade will suffer if you do not do homework on a regular basis. Assignments are posted on my home page.
 
Group Work
In order to help you get started on your homework and to aid in the understanding of concepts, occassional group work will be given. Each group work is worth 10 points.

Exams

Semester Exams
There will be two regular exams during the semester each worth 100 points. I will not give exams outside of the scheduled time unless I receive notification at least one class period prior to the exam or you have a note from a dean, doctor, or coach. Tentatively, the exam dates are: Friday, Oct. 10; and Friday, Nov. 9.

Final Exam
The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18, 8:00-10:00 am. The final is worth 150 points. Everyone is required to be present at the time of the final exam. I WILL NOT GIVE THE FINAL EXAM EARLY! So, make travel plans accordingly.

Grading

Grading is on percentage of approximately 550 total points. The grading scale is: 89% A-, 79% B-, 69% C-, 50% D-. All deadlines are firm and no late work will be accepted!

Academic Integrity

I expect a very high standard of academic integrity from each of you. This means not only that I expect you not to look at one another's papers or use crib notes during an exam, but also that you submit your own work on labs or projects and that you pull your fair share of the weight on group assignments. Each individual in the group must understand the material submitted. In the case of questionable academic integrity please feel free to discuss the issue with me in my office, or send an anonymous note. In case there is a question at to whether or not a student understands the work he or she has handed in, I reserve the right to require that individual to come to my office and explain their work to me orally.

Plagiarism (this includes plagiarizing others computer labs), cheating, and other acts of academic misconduct, will result in, at minimum, a failing grade for the assignment, and at my discretion, a failing grade for the course.