MTH 619: Algebra

Fall 2020

Instructor: Alexandru Chirvasitu

Lectures: Office: 216 Mathematics Building
Office hours: TR 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, remote
Email: achirvas AT buffalo.edu

Unusual circumstances

I'll take this space to summarize some of the ways in which the current situation (i.e. having to teach and learn remotely) has resulted in somewhat unconventional arrangements for this course. Further details appear below, down the page.

Textbook

Reading

I'll probably ask you to read some of the sections in the textbook before most lectures, so we're in sync. I'll post the reading assignments here. Unless specified otherwise the sections are those in Dummit-Foote.

The date is that of the lecture, so please do the reading before that.

Due date Assignment Remarks
1 Th Sep 10

7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5

Appendix II (category theory)

2 Th Sep 17

10.2, 10.3, 10.4
3 Th Sep 24

10.5
4 Th Oct 01

13.1, 13.2
5 Th Oct 15

13.4, 13.5
6 Th Oct 22

13.6, 14.1
7 Th Oct 29

14.2
8 Th Nov 05

14.3, 14.4
9 Th Nov 12

14.5, 14.6

No classes the whole week of Nov 23



Supplementary material

On occasion I'll post extra notes, comments, etc. in this space.

Homework

We exchange homework via UBLearns: I post the assignments there through the 'Assignments' facility provided by the system and you'll similarly be able to upload files.

No late homework for any reason, but we are dropping the two lowest scores.

Due date Assignment Remarks
1 Th Sep 10
  • 7.2: 4, 5, 6
  • 7.3: 26, 28, 29, 35
  • 7.4: 11, 33, 34, 37
  • 7.5: 4
2 Th Sep 17
  • 10.2: 6, 9, 10
  • 10.3: 2, 7, 9, 23
  • 10.4: 3, 4, 14
3 Th Sep 24
  • 10.5: 4, 5, 7, 9, 18, 19, 20
4 Th Oct 01
  • 13.1: 3, 4, 5
  • 13.2: 1, 4, 6, 7, 12
exam 1 Th Oct 08
  • 10.4: 15
  • 10.5: 16
  • 13.2: 13, 16
 No homework this week
5 Th Oct 15
  • 13.4: 2, 5, 6
  • 13.5: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
6 Th Oct 22
  • 13.6: 1, 6, 7, 10
  • 14.1: 4, 5, 7, 9
7 Th Oct 29
  • 14.2: 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 19
8 Th Nov 05
  • 14.3: 3, 4, 8, 9
  • 14.4: 1, 2, 6, 7
9 Th Nov 12
  • 14.5: 5, 10, 12
  • 14.6: 13, 17, 24, 26
exam 2 Th Dec 03
  • 14.3: 10
  • 14.5: 13
  • 14.6: 27, 39
 We're done!

The grader will assign each homework a grade out of 10 with only a few problems being graded (3 or 4 or so). There will also be points awarded for the overall completeness of the assignment. I won't be telling you in advance which problems are being graded though..

Do collaborate on the homework if you like, but write up your own solutions. I also strongly advise you to have a look at the UB Academic Integrity Policy, as it very much applies to this class.

And by all means drop by at office hours if you need a hand.

Exams

We're having two take-home exams. The dates are as follows


Exam policy:

Those are the due dates. I will post the problem lists a few days before, so you will have plenty of time to work on them.

Grading

We'll drop the two lowest homework scores.

Some links

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me.

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