MTH 620: Algebra
Spring 2020
Instructor: Alexandru Chirvasitu

Lectures: Office: 216 Mathematics Building
Office hours: TBD
Email: achirvas AT buffalo.edu
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 Th, Jan 30 Sections 1.1 and 1.2
2 Th, Feb 6 For the homework due that day you'll maybe want to remind yourself of
MTH 619 module theory material, as covered in Chapters 2 and 3;
peruse those as needed.
3 Th, Feb 13 6.1, 6.2, 7.1
4 Th, Feb 20 7.2
5 Th, Feb 27 8.1
6 Th, Mar 12 9.1, 9.3, 9.4
As you know, our in-person meetings
will cease after Spring break (starting the week of Mar 23, inclusive).
7 Th, Apr 02 9.5
8 Th, Apr 09 9.6


Supplementary material

Starting the week of Mar 23, all course materials will appear below.
Homework

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

Because of the ad-hoc online nature of the class, starting after Spring break please email the homework as an attachment, directly to uploads.5u0zr1zpby8bb5fg "at" u.box.com.

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

Due date Assignment Remarks
1 Th, Feb 6 Hw 1 source
2 Th, Feb 13 Exercises 7.1, 7.2 and 7.4 from Rotman
3 Th, Feb 20 7.10, 7.12, 7.16, 7.17
4 Th, Feb 27 6.16, 6.17, 6.19, 8.5
Exam 1 Th, Mar 12 9.4, 9.21. 9.23, 9.24
5 Th, Mar 26 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8
6 Th, Apr 02 embedded in Tuesday, Mar 24 2020 lecture
7 Th, Apr 09 embedded in Tuesday, Mar 31 2020 lecture
8 Th, Apr 16 embedded in Tuesday, Apr 07 2020 lecture
9 Th, Apr 23 embedded in Tuesday, Apr 14 2020 lecture
10 Th, Apr 30 embedded in Tuesday, Apr 21 2020 lecture
Exam 2 Th, May 7 embedded in Tuesday, Apr 28 2020 lecture


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.

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