MATH 3413

Tues, Thurs 2:00-3:15, 303 Boyd

 

 

Instructor:         Scott Sykes

Office:              MP 314

Office Hours:    Monday  10:00-11:00, 12:00-1:00

                        Tuesday 11:00-12:00,1:30-2:00

                        Wednesday 10:00-11:00,12:00-1:00

                        Thursday 1:00-2:00

                        Friday 10:00-11:00,12:00-1:00

                        or by appointment

Office Phone:    836-4346

Email:               ssykes@westga.edu

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  At the end of this course, a student should be able to demonstrate:

  1. An understanding of the properties of the integers, rational numbers, real numbers and complex numbers (L5).
  2. An understanding of the formula for solving a quadratic of cubic equation (L5).
  3. An understanding of the Euclidean algorithm for integers and polynomials (L5).
  4. A basic understanding of the concepts of rings, fields and groups (L5).

 

TEXT: Abstract Algebra: A Geometric Approach by Theodore Sifrin (Prentice Hall)

 

TESTS:  There will be two exams on Thursday, September 26 and Thursday, November 7.  Each will count 100 points towards your final grade.

 

FINAL:  The final is Tuesday, December 10 at 2:00-4:00.  It counts 150 points towards your final grade and will be comprehensive.

 

HOMEWORK:  Homework will be assigned weekly and collected.  You should try your best at all the homework problems.  Each assignment will be assigned a score of 1-5 based on effort and results.  You can obtain a maximum of 50 homework points.

 

 

BOARD WORK:  You will “volunteer” to do problems and proofs on the board during class.  Every time you go to the board, you will get a score of 0-5 for the problem.  3 points will be based on “mathematics” and 2 points will be based on “presentation”.  You do not have to do a fancy presentation to get 2 points, but your presentation should be organized, everything you write should be legible, your speaking should be comprehensible and you should be able to talk and write together.  You can volunteer up to 12 times during the semester and count a maximum of 50 points.     

 

 

 

DISCUSSION:  Each class will have time for a discussion of the ideas presented in class and the assigned readings.  You should be prepared for the discussion (read the assigned reading and pay attention during class).  You should fully participate in the discussion.  Your score will be based on your level of participation and your preparedness.  Every class with a discussion component will be scored 0 (absent), 1 (low participation/ preparedness), 2 (full participation/ preparedness).  You can count a maximum of 50 discussion points towards your final grade. 

 

 

GRADES:  Your grade will be determined based on the following formula

 

                        TESTS                         200 points

                        +FINAL                      150 points

                        +HOMEWORK            50 points

                        +BOARDWORK          50 points

                        +DISCUSSION            50 points

 

                        TOTAL                        500 points

 

                        POINTS          GRADE

                        450-500           A

                        400-449           B

                        350-399           C

                        300-349           D

                            0-299           F

 

There will be no curve or extra credit assignments, so don’t ask!

 

If you ever have any questions or suggestions, feel free to come by my office at any time.  I will definitely be there during my office hours, you can just stop by.  You can also stop by or call to see if I am there at other times.