Syllabus
MWF 11:30-12:30 p.m., Howard Hall 133
The majority of this course will consist of in-depth study of two major algebraic objects: polynomial rings and field extensions. Polynomial rings generalize familiar notions of factorization and prime numbers. Field extensions will first let us prove the impossibility of trisecting the angle, and second demonstrate a beautiful connection between field theory and group theory - Galois Theory. The course will end with a peek at algebraic topology including the statement of the Poincare Conjecture. This conjecture was resolved very recently by Grisha Perelman, who declined the 1 million dollar prize for its proof.Office Hours
MWF 2:15-4:15, a problem session to be scheduled, and by appointment.Text
We will be using Abstract Algebra, by Dummit and Foote, 3rd Edition.Exams
There will be one take home midterm exam in this course. There will also be a take home final exam.Grading
Your final letter grade for Math 421 will be based on the weighted total of the scores below. (Note that final grades are NOT based on fixed, pre-determined percentages, however 90% guarantees a minimum grade of A-, 80% a minimum grade of B-, etc.) See page 27 of the College Catalog for an explanation of what each letter grade signifies.Academic Honesty
Homework: 45%
Midterm: 25%
Final Exam: 30%
Academic honesty is expected of all Lewis & Clark students. In this course, homework can and should be worked on and discussed with others, but the work you hand in must be your own. No form of collaboration will be permitted on take home exams. You are permitted to use the text and your notes however.Inclusive Classroom Statement
The College mission statement states that Lewis and Clark, ``seeks to be a community of scholars who are alive to inquiry, open to diversity, and disciplined to work in an interdependent world.'' In this spirit I expect that all of our statements and actions be based on mutual respect for one another. If you have ideas about how our classroom could be made more inclusive, please don't hesitate to discuss them with me.Special Needs
If you have a disability that may impact your academic performance, you may request accommodations by submitting documentation to the Student Support Services Office in Albany Quadrangle (x7191), and that office will notify me of the accommodations for which you are eligible.Professor Contact Information
Liz's office is: 302 BoDine
Her office phone number is: (503) 768-7727
Her email address is: stanhope at lclark dot edu