| Instructor: | Dr. Paul Regier | Time: | Mon/Wed 2:30 - 3:55 pm |
| Email: | pregier@usao.edu | Place: | Austin Hall 213 |
| Office hours: | paulregier.com/office-hours/ |
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of abstract algebra, including groups, rings, and fields. Using an inquiry-based learning (IBL) approach, students will engage in collaborative problem-solving and presentations to develop a deep understanding of the subject. (3 hours)
Prerequisite: MATH 3253 Foundations of Math
By the end of the course, students will:
This course is centered around the IBL approach, where students are active participants in their learning. Each week, you will:
Minimal lecturing will be provided, and the focus will be on student discovery and discussion.
In this course, everyone will be required to:
Out-of-class work will require substantial time and effort (4-8 hours/week). If at any point this semester you are struggling to find sufficient time to engage with the assigned content, you are expected to come to speak with me immediately.
In class, your active, sustained, and uninterrupted engagement will be required. Due to this, as well as my genuine concern for your learning, any reoccurring interruptions or distractions will be discussed, individually addressed, and eliminated to any extent necessary.
In this course, you are allowed to use only the following resources: paper, pencil, the course textbook, and your brain. You are NOT to be consulting solutions or proofs on the internet, or other texts, faculty, or students outside this course. Failure to follow these requirements will seriously undermine your learning in this course and may subsequently result in failing the course.
In this course, it is expected that after serious effort on your part, you will fail in solving or proving problems in the texts. This will prove one of the most beneficial aspects of your learning experience. Together, we will learn to work hard and embrace productive failure.
“Earnest failure outweighs counterfeit success.”
Course grades are made up of the following components:
| Participation and Presentation | 20% |
| Homework Assignments | 20% |
| Proof Write-ups | 30% |
| Exams (midterm and final) | 15% x 2 exams |
| Total | 100% |
After rounding the final grade to the nearest percent:
\(A = 90-100\%, B = 80-89\%, C = 70-79\%, D =
60-69\%, F = \text{below } 60\%\)
In each class, you will present your solutions and proofs to the problems and theorems assigned. Thus, your attendance and participation is required. Daily participation and presentation points will be assigned as follows:
Failure to attend more than three class periods will result in an additional 5% deduction from your final grade for each absence beyond 3.
Daily homework assignments will be posted at least one week in advance and are due before the start of class on the specified due date. Completion of homework will be assessed via in-class notebook checks to ensure completion and accuracy. Assignments not completed by the deadline will receive a grade of zero.
For certain problems and theorems in this course, you will write clear and complete proofs following the guidance provided in Section 1.5, submitting your final work in Canvas. Also, you should periodically refer to Appendix A1 or more instructions in writing clear and complete proofs.
Proof problems will be posted Wednesday and will be due before class the following Monday. Proof write-ups not turned in on time will receive an automatic 20% penalty per day late.
Midterm and Final exams will be given on the dates listed below.
Be aware and anticipate the following response times for the following types of correspondence:
Regular class attendance is necessary to achieve the course objectives. Thus, taking care of your health and avoiding unnecessary exposure to illness is an important part of your success.
However, if you do fall ill for any reason, I want you to be able to rest. Please do not come to class if you are sick. If you are ill, please email me to let me know. Then, when you are well, contact me ASAP to make plans to make up missed work.
If you are absent from class, you are still responsible for completing all course requirements. As the instructor, I will work with you to make up work. However, it is your responsibility to contact me to make plans for making up missed work as soon as you are well. Do not wait until the end of the semester to make up missed work.
The University has a continuing commitment to providing accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To fully participate in this class, those with disabilities who may need accommodation should contact Disability Services, as soon as possible. For this semester, please do this by emailing the Disability Services Office at disabilityservices@usao.edu.
Academic dishonesty in any form is a violation of the Academic Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. There is a zero-tolerance policy in this course for any form of plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, forgery, or any other type of academic dishonesty. For more on the Academic Code of Conduct please see the USAO student handbook.
Please also mark your calendar with all exam dates, as posted in the course schedule (see home Canvas page).
It is your responsibility to be aware of all dates listed in the USAO academic calendar.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this course as deemed mutually beneficial or necessary to all involved, with appropriate notification.
I encourage any feedback you have at any point during the semester. If you find any structural or content errors in any current course materials, let me know respectfully via the syllabus discussion in Canvas, via email, or in person. If you do so, I will give you one point extra credit (per correction).