Course Syllabus

Math 120A Lecture D Fall 2019

Instructor Contact Information:

Isaac Goldbring
Email: isaac@math.uci.edu
Homepage:  https://www.math.uci.edu/~isaac/

Office: RH 410 J
Office Hours: Monday at 3pm, Wednesday at 8am (shared with Math 121A)
Office Phone: (949) 824-3792

Course Information:

• Text:  Abstract Algebra:  Theory and Applications by Tom Judson.  The book is available for free online http://abstract.ups.edu/aata/ but is also available for purchase.

• Course Description: Axioms for group theory; permutation groups, matrix groups. Isomorphisms, homomorphisms, quotient groups. Advanced topics as time permits. Special emphasis on doing proofs.

• Prerequisite: (MATH 3A or MATH H3A) and MATH 13. MATH 13 with a grade of C or better

• Class Meetings: There are three hours of lecture each week: MWF 9-9:50 in PSCB 140.  

• Discussion Section:  There are two hours of discussion each week:  TR 4-4:50 in ALP 2200.
• TA:  Hongseok Chang hongseoc@uci.edu.  His office hours will be announced shortly.

• Homework: There will be 8 homework assignments due during the quarter.  They will be due at the beginning of lecture every Friday except the week of the midterm and the week of Thanksgiving.  Here is a complete list of the homework assignments.  No assignments will be accepted after 9:10am on the due date.  The lowest homework score will be dropped.

• Quizzes:  There will be a quiz each week during the Tuesday discussion section except for Week 1 and the week of the midterm.  Here is a complete quiz schedule, including what sections are covered on each quiz.  (Note:  This is subject to change pending on the pace of the course; any changes will be clearly communicated with ample notice.)  The quizzes will be written and graded by the TA and will be short and straightforward, intended only to check that you are staying current with the material. There will be no make-up quizzes but one quiz score will be dropped.
• Hour exams:  There will be one hour exam on Monday, November 4, during the usual class period. No notes, books, or calculators will be allowed on the exam. There will be no make-up exam.

• Final exam:  The final exam will take place on Wednesday, December 11, from 8-10am in the normal class room.  Once again, no notes, books, or calculators will be allowed on the exam.

• Grievances: If you disagree with the way your quizzes or exams were graded, you must bring your complaint to me or the TA within 1 week or forever hold your peace. Similarly, you must check that your quiz and exam scores were input on Canvas correctly; if the grades were input incorrectly, you also have 1 week to report this.
• Academic Integrity Policy: All students are expected to complete a course in compliance with the Instructor’s standards. No student shall engage in any activity involving any Academic Integrity Policy Viola- tions. No student shall engage in any activity that involves attempting to receive a grade by means other than honest effort, and shall not aid an- other student who is attempting to do so.
• Here is a rough schedule for the quarter.
• Grading Breakdown:
  • Homework:  25%
  • Quizzes:  15%
  • Hour exam:  30%
  • Final exam:  30%

• Ideal Grading Scale:

  97-100 A+

  92-96.9 A

  90-91.9 A-

  87-89.9 B+

  82-86.9 B

  80-81.9 B-

  77-79.9 C+

  72-76.9 C

  70-71.9 C-

  67-69.9 D+

  62-66.9 D

  60-61.9 D-

  < 60 F

  Any curving will take place after the final exam and will be at the discretion of the instructor.