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.