MTH 620: Algebra
Spring 2019
Instructor: Alexandru Chirvasitu

Lectures: Office: 216 Mathematics Building
Office hours: TBD
Email: achirvas AT buffalo.edu
#GEN_SYLL
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 Rotman's book.

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

Due date Assignment Remarks
1 Wed, Jan 30 Sections 1.1 and 1.2
2 Mon, Feb 4 Section 2.1
3 Wed, Feb 6 Section 5.2
Stop after Example 5.22.
4 Mon, Feb 11 5.3
5 Wed, Feb 13 5.5 Skip the parts about (pre)sheaves;
We'll cover that topic later.
6 Mon, Feb 18 6.1
7 Wed, Feb 20 6.2.1
No meeting Mon Feb 25
8 Wed, Feb 27 6.2.2
9 Mon, Mar 4 6.2.3, 6.2.4
10 Mon, Mar 11 7.2
No meeting Mon Mar 25
11 Mon, Apr 1 9.1.2
12 Wed, Apr 3 6.2.3, 9.5.1
13 Mon, Apr 8 9.6
14 Mon, Apr 22 10.2
15 Wed, Apr 24 10.3
16 Mon, May 6 5.4, before 5.4.1


Supplementary material

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

All assignments are due Wednesday in class, as indicated in the table below.

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

Due date Assignment Remarks
1 Wed, Feb 13 Hw 1 source
2 Wed, Feb 20 Hw 2 source
3 Wed, Feb 27 Hw 3 source
4 Wed, Mar 6 Hw 4 source
Wed, Mar 13 Exam 1 source
5 Wed, Mar 27 Hw 5 source
6 Wed, Apr 10 Hw 6 source and references
7 Wed, Apr 17 Hw 7 source and references
8 Wed, Apr 24 Hw 8 source and references
Wed, May 8 Exam 2 source and references


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

Back to homepage