Math 4281 (Intro to Modern Algebra)
MWF 9:05 to 9:55 a.m.
Vincent Hall 6

Instructor: Professor Joel Roberts

• Vincent Hall 351
• 612-625-1076
• e-mail: roberts@math.umn.edu
• URL: http://www.math.umn.edu/~roberts
• Office hours
  • MW 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Tues 1:25 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
     
          Alternatively, if the established hours don't fit your schedule, please get in touch with me
    (612-625-1076 or roberts@math.umn.edu) to arrange a more convenient time.

Text:
      A concrete introduction to higher algebra, by Lindsay Childs.     (Springer Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics series)
      Available at the University Bookstore.

Class webpage: http://www.math.umn.edu/~roberts/math4281/
Check this page regularly for important information about the class.
 
It will be updated frequently.

Subject matter:   Please see my online course description.

Prerequisite:
      Math 2283 or Math 3283W or equiv. (Sequences, series and foundations)
      Comment: For our purposes, mathematical induction and other basic ideas about proofs
      are the most important topics from Math 2283/3283.

Required work and expectations:

• Workload: Since this is a 4 credit class, you should on plan on spending about 8 hours per week outside of class on work related to the course. This can include a first reading of the week's material before it is discussed in class -- in fact, that activity is highly recommended.
   
• Homework assignments: Weekly assignments, due at the beginning of class on Wednesdays -- but homework won't be collected (a) during the first week of class and (b) during weeks when we have a test.
   
• Three midterm tests.   Tentative dates:
  1. Wednesday, February 8  
  2. Wednesday, March 8  
  3. Wednesday, April 12
      
• Final exam:     
       Tuesday, May 9
       1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.    
       (according to the University Final Exam Schedule -- Class Begins 09:00am-09:59am MWF)
   
  The final exam will be somewhat cumulative.

Grading policies

• The midterm tests will count for 50% of the grade.
• The final exam will count for 30% of the grade.
• Homework will count for 20% of the grade.

Other policies:

• Late homework will be accepted until 24 hours before the third class meeting after the due date [thus, usually 6 days], but generally will not be accepted after that time. We will likely, however, drop 1 or 2 missing assignments or else the 1 or 2 lowest homework assignment grades from the grade calculation.
   
• Exams must be taken on the scheduled date except for serious emergencies, for example illness that requires medical attention. If you anticipate some other type of schedule conflict on the date of an exam, please check with me well in advance.
   
• An Incomplete is given only when most of the required work for the course has been completed with passing grades and there is a reasonable expectation that the missing work can be made up.
   

The schedule of reading and homework is linked here.

Comments and questions to:  roberts@math.umn.edu

Back to  the class homepage.