Introductory Abstract Algebra

MATH2108, Fall 2008
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University

Instructor:
Prof. Brett Stevens,
Herzberg Physics, Office #4374
Tel: (613) 520 2600 (Ext. 2125)
Email:stevens@math.carleton.ca
http://mathstat.math.carleton.ca/~brett/

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ben Seamone's exam office hours will be 10:00-12:00 15 Dec. in room HP4365.

My exam office hours will be

Practice Automata . In the second automata problem, the symbol `1' sends states s_2 to state s_0. The office hour on Wednesday is not working for me so I have changed it to Wednesday at 14:00-15:00. But I cannot make either time on 29/Oct/2008.

General Information

Textbook:
Elements of Modern Algebra by J. Gilbert and L. Gilbert. 5th Edition (other editions OK but my page numbers and sections will be announced with reference to fifth edition). I have ordered this book at Haven Books . Additionally I have put three books on reserve at the library. They are

Paul Garrett's Introduction to Abstract Algebra Notes are a good, free reference as well. Finally, I have also put a book, Finite automata by Mark V. Lawson on reserve at the library for those of you want a reference for Monoids and Automata. Request it using course number MATH4805. Also available is this monoid/automata reference from the web

Prerequisites:
MATH1102, MATH2107, or equivalent.
Students who have not passed the prerequisite course may be automatically de-registered during the term.

Classes:
Tuesday 11:30-13:00, Thursday 11:30-13:00.
Room: 516SA.

Tutorials:
Wednesday 13:30-14:30
Tutorial 1: Patterson 115, TA: Ben Seamone

Office hours: Tuesday 10:00-11:00 and Wednesday 14:00-15:00 or make an appointment.

Classes begin: Thursday 4 Sep. 2008. Classes end: Thursday 27 Nov. 2008.

Term mark:
There will be four tests, each worth 15%, taken in tutorials on 15 Oct., 29 Oct., 12 Nov., 26 Nov. 2008.
Practice problems for these tests are available.
Test solutions will be posted in the display case outside HP4385.
Your worst test score will be dropped.

Evaluation:
Term mark is 45%. The final examination is 55%.
You must pass the term work in order to pass the course. If you have a passing term mark and you do better on the final exam then I will count your final exam for 100% of the course. I do not accept doctor's notes for late or missed work.

Plagiarism and Cheating:
Plagiarism is defined in the undergraduate calendar as an instructional offense that occurs when a student uses or passes off "as one's own idea or product, work of another without expressly giving credit". This includes plagiarism involving material lifted from the Internet. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The penalties for students who have been found to have plagiarized are a failed grade at the least sever and suspension, expulsion or notation on transcripts for serious or repeated cases. Plagiarism is just one form of Cheating. All forms of cheating are taken very seriously and will be dealt with swiftly and severely.

Withdrawal: The last day for withdrawal from the course is 7 Nov. 2008. Withdrawals before 30 Sep. 2008 get 100% refund, there is NO refund after this date.

Students with Disabilities requiring academic accommodations please feel free to to come and discuss it with me. Students must also contact the Paul Menton Centre, 501 University Centre, Tel: 520-6608, to complete the required forms.

List of Topics Covered: Monoids, Automata, Groups, Subgroups, Cyclic Groups, Order of Group, Generators, Isomorphism, Homomorphism, Kernal, Image, Permutation Groups, Conjugacy, Cosets, Largrange's Theorem, Rubik's Cube, RSA cryptography, Normal Subgroups, Quotient Groups, Homomorphism Theorem.

These topics are subject to change