MATH 537    FALL 2002

Class Meetings: TuTh 2:05-3:20 in EMS E220
[Thanksgiving holiday 11/28; Last class 12/12]

Instructor: Allen Bell, EMS E449, 229-4233; e-mail adbell@uwm.edu

Web Page: http://www.uwm.edu/~adbell/ -- then follow the link for Math 537.

Text and Topics: Elementary Number Theory and its Applications, Fourth Edition by Kenneth H. Rosen.

Number Theory is often described as the study of the properties of the whole numbers: $1,2,\dots$. This is not entirely true; the fact that $\pi$ is irrational, for example, is usually considered number theory. The description is still a reasonable approximation, though. What is emphatically not true is that number theory involves only the whole numbers. Even in answering easily stated questions, very sophisticated mathematical ideas - such as calculus - are invoked.

We will cover a number of topics in this class, including solutions to equations and congruences and factorization and prime numbers. In this course, we will see mainly the elementary (and algebraic) face of number theory.

Office Hours: TuTh between 11:00 and 2:00; other times by appointment. You can also talk to me any time you can find me in my office.
All times are subject to change and to cancellation on some days due to other duties. I will update this information soon.

Grades: Your grade will be based on two in-class midterms plus a comprehensive final exam and on homework and possibly in-class work. The homework and any in-class component will count around 20%, the midterm exams will count around 20% each the final exam around 40%. (The exact percentages will be decided later.) The homework portion of the grade will be determined by problems which I will from time to time collect, possibly augmented by in-class work and presentations. The grading scale on exams will be determined by the class performance on the exams (i.e., there will be a curve).

There will be no make-up exams, and the final exam cannot be re-scheduled. If you cannot come to an exam for a very good reason, we may be able to make some kind of arrangement if you let me know in advance: you may call me or leave a message at the Mathematics office, 229-4836.

Homework: The best way to learn the material in this course is to (1) read actively, that is, work things out for yourself as you read, and (2) work as many problems as possible. Most homework will not be collected, but you should work as many problems in the problem sets as you can. You are free to discuss homework among yourselves, except homework that is to be handed in for a grade, but please remember: if you don't do it yourself, you won't learn it.

Other: If you have any special requirements or concerns regarding this course, please let me know as soon as possible. Friday, October 25 is the last day to drop the class (with a W on your transcript) without special approvals.