Lectures: TuTh 12:30-1:45 in EMS W129 [Holiday 11/22; Last class 12/13]
Instructor: Allen Bell, EMS E449, 229-4233; e-mail adbell@uwm.edu
Office Hours: MW 2:00-2:55; Tu 1:50-2:45; other times by
appointment.
Thursday Office Hour has been cancelled. All times
are subject to change and to cancellation on some days due to
other duties.
You can also talk to me any time you can find me in my
office.
Web Page: http://www.uwm.edu/~adbell/ -- then
follow the link for Math 631.
Text and Topics: Text will be notes handed out in
class. If you would like a reference book (but there's no
guarantee it will match the lectures), I suggest Algebra
by Michael Artin.
I expect to cover various aspects of Ring Theory, Linear Algebra,
and Group Theory. We will start with the study of rings and
prime factorization, after we get a few basics out of the way.
You should begin by reading Chapter 1 of the notes, which
combines review and the introduction of new material.
Grades: Your grade will be based on the examinations and the homework: the grading scale will be determined based on the class performance (i.e., there will be a curve). The following information is tentative and approximate. The homework will count for half of your grade, the midterm one-sixth, and the final exam one-third.
Homework: It is crucial that you do the
homework. It is impossible to really learn
mathematics without doing problems!
Some homework will be collected and graded; you may be asked to
present some problems at the board. Most of the assigned
problems will not be collected or graded, but we will discuss
homework in class whenever you have questions about it, and I
encourage you to come to my office hours to discuss homework
problems. You are free to discuss homework problems among
yourselves, except homework that is handed in for a
grade, but please remember: if you don't do it yourself, you
won't learn it.
Exams: I anticipate that there will be one exam during the semester, regular homework, and a comprehensive in-class written final exam. The final exam will take place on Wednesday, December 19 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
There will be no make-up exams. 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.
Other: If you have any special requirements or concerns regarding this course, please let me know as soon as possible. Friday, October 26 is the last day to drop the class (with a W on your transcript). You can drop classes using SASI without any signatures until Friday, October 26.