Math 120B, Spring 2015

Title: Introduction to Abstract Algebra (Rings and Fields)
Instructor: Trevor Wilson (twilson@math.uci.edu)
Lectures: MWF 2:00–2:50 p.m. in MSTB 124
Office hours: Monday 11:00–11:50 a.m. and Wednesday 10:00–10:50 a.m., or by appointment, in 510V Rowland Hall
TA: Ryan Sullivant (e-mail and website)
Recommended textbook: A First Course in Abstract Algebra, 7th edition, by John B. Fraleigh

Homework

Homework will be due on TUESDAYS at the beginning of your discussion section. The homework problems will be posted in the schedule below. Late homework will not be accepted. Your lowest homework score will not be used in calculating your grade in the class.

You may collaborate on the homework with other students and seek help from any source. As always, you must credit your collaborators and cite your sources.

Quizzes

Quizzes will be given on THURSDAYS in the discussion section. You will be responsible for knowing everything covered so far in the lectures or discussions, except for the previous day's lecture. Make-up quizzes will not be given. Your lowest quiz score will not be used in calculating your grade in the class.

Midterm exam

Sample midterm exam and solutions

Midterm exam (white) and solutions

Midterm exam (yellow) and solutions

Final exam

Sample final exam and solutions

Grading

Your numeric course grade will be calculated as follows:

15% homework
15% quizzes
30% midterm exam
40% final exam

Letter grades will be assigned so as to make the grade distribution close to the one recommended by the department. Letter grades will be at least 'A-' for 90%, 'B-' for 80%, etc.; probably significantly higher.

Schedule (subject to change)

Week 1 (homework and solutions):

Mar. 30 (M) Section 18
Apr. 1 (W) Section 18
Apr. 3 (F) Section 18

Week 2 (homework and solutions):

Apr. 6 (M) Section 18
Apr. 8 (W) Section 19
Apr. 10 (F) Section 19

Week 3 (homework and solutions):

Apr. 13 (M) Section 20
Apr. 15 (W) Section 20, 21
Apr. 17 (F) Section 21

Week 4 (homework and solutions):

Apr. 20 (M) Section 21, 22
Apr. 22 (W) Section 22
Apr. 24 (F) Section 22

Week 5 (homework and solutions):

Apr. 27 (M) Section 22, 23
Apr. 29 (W) Review
May 1 (F) Midterm exam

Week 6 (homework and solutions):

May 4 (M) Section 23
May 6 (W) Section 23 (skipped Theorem 23.11 onward)
May 8 (F) Section 26

Week 7 (homework and solutions):

May 11 (M) Section 26
May 13 (W) Section 26, 27
May 15 (F) Section 27

Week 8 (homework and solutions):

May 18 (M) Section 27
May 20 (W) Section 27 (skipped unique factorization)
May 22 (F) Section 29

Week 9 (homework and solutions):

May 25 (M) Holiday (Memorial Day)
May 27 (W) Section 29
May 29 (F) Section 29

Week 10:

June 1 (M) Section 29
June 3 (W) Section 30
June 5 (F) Review