189-570A: Higher Algebra I
Professor: Henri Darmon
Classes: MW 10:00-11:30.
Room: Burnside Hall 1104
Higher Algebra I on the web:
Henri Darmon's web page:
http://www.math.mcgill.ca/~darmon
Math 570A:
http://www.math.mcgill.ca/~darmon/courses/algebra1/algebra1.html
Office hours:
Henri Darmon: by appointment,
in BH 1111.
Textbooks:
I will be following my own course notes, which will be fairly close to
the excellent course notes
used by Eyal Goren last year.
Supplementary references:
1. Jean-Pierre Serre,
Linear representations of finite groups.
Springer-Verlag.
2. Emil Artin,
Galois
Theory, Dover Books.
3. Thomas Hungerford, Algebra,
Springer-Verlag (GTM).
Syllabus: This course will cover the standard
syllabus for a
first year graduate course in abstract algebra.
The content and pace will be challenging:
emphasis will be placed on rigorous proofs, and on developping
mathematical
maturity and problem-solving skills.
Grading Scheme :
40%
Bi-weekly assignments.
The bi-weekly assignments are an essential part of the course. You should plan
to devote at least ten hours (and quite possibly more) to the
assignments.
If you are stuck on a problem, you may seek out the help of
one of your classmates. It is OK to work on the
assignments in groups, although you should hand them in individually.
Do not neglect the assignments:
there is a strong correlation between the work you put into
them and how well you will do in the final exam, and hence in the
course.
Please
make sure that you are not too passive when collaborating with others: the final
exam will be a solo effort...
The assignments are due on Mondays
and will be graded and returned to you in the same week.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
60% In-class final exam.
The final exam will be held on Friday, December 6,
from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM,
in Burnside Hall ????.
There will also be an option of 80% Final and 20% assignments for those
who score higher on the final exam than on the assignments. (Although, experience shows that how well you do in the final correlates strongly
with how thoroughly you carried out the assignments, so you are not advised to
place your bets on this alternate grading scheme.)
The obligatory statements
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students
must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and
other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and
Disciplinary Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/integrity for more
information).
In accord with McGill University's Charter of
Students' Rights, students in this course have the right to
submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded.
In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's
control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject
to change.