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Math 370 - Algebra 3

Lecturer: Prof. Eyal Goren
Location and time: BURN 1214, MWF 8:35-9:25
Office Hours: MW 10:00 - 11:00 (BURN 1108)

Syllabus: Introduction to monoids, groups, permutation groups; the isomorphism theorems for groups; the theorems of Cayley, Lagrange and Sylow; structure of groups of low order. Introduction to ring theory; integral domains, fields, quotient field of an integral domain; polynomial rings; unique factorization domains.
Pre-requisites: MATH 235 and either (MATH 247 or MATH 251).

Method of Evaluation:
10% assignments, 10% in-class quiz, 20% midterm, 60% final. Or, if better, 100% final.
There will be no make-up for the quiz, or the midterm; people not able to write those will get a mark of 0 for those, but can still enjoy the 100% final option.
Showing up to classes is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended. As well, attempting all the assignments is highly recommended.

Textbooks:
The official textbook for the course is my online notes. Note that these will be updated and expanded during the term. It is therefore wise to not actually print them until the end of the term. I will follow my notes quite closely, but quite often allow my self to deviate, or to give an alternative approach. In fact, as a rule of thumb, I shall attempt to provide examples in class that are not in the notes thereby providing you with more examples.
One can also consult the following very good text books
D. Dummit and R. Foote: Abstract algebra.
Michael Artin: Algebra.

The course notes
Assignments
Solutions

The QUIZ is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 9:00 - 9:30 (In Class).
-- Material for the quiz: sections 1 - 11 (inclusive) in the notes.
QUIZ RESULTS

The MIDTERM is scheduled for Monday, October 21, 18:00 - 19:30 (RPHYS 112).
The material for the midterm is up to p-groups (inclusive). That is, up to page 43 (inclusive) in the notes. You'd be required to write proofs.
MIDTERM RESULTS

External links:

Christophe Petit and Jean-Jacques Quisquater: Rubik's for Cryptographers. Notices of the AMS, July 2013.
Aschbacher, Michael: The status of the classification of the finite simple groups. Notices Amer. Math. Soc. 51 (2004), no. 7, 736–740.

Official stuff:
Academic integrity: 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).
Submitting work: 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.
Syllabus and Grade Calculation: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.