MATH 172 - First Day Handout

Abstract Algebra II: Galois Theory - Spring 2025

General information

Time and place:    T Th 2:45 - 4:00 pm, Davidson
Instructor:             Lenny Fukshansky
Email:                    lenny@cmc.edu
Office hours:        (tentatively) TTh 1:30 - 2:30 pm, W 2:00 - 3:00 pm or by appointment
Class webpage:    https://www1.cmc.edu/pages/faculty/lenny/classes/spring_2025/m172/spring_2025_m172.html

The class webpage is a good source for all class related information; in particular, homework assignments will be posted on the class webpage weekly. Please check it regularly.

Textbook: (Required) Abstract Algebra (3-rd edition), by David S. Dummit and Richard M. Foote (published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Catalog course description:

This course is a continuation of MATH 171, covering selected topics in the theories of groups, rings, fields, and modules with a specific emphasis on Galois Theory. Topics covered will include polynomial rings, field extensions, splitting fields, algebraic closure, separability, Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory, Galois groups of polynomials and solvability.

Prerequisite: MATH 171 or instructor's consent

Material to be covered:

Topics for this course include topics in groups, rings, and fields with an emphasis on Galois Theory. The particular week-by-week schedule of the course will correspond to the homework assignments, which are displayed on the class webpage (can be adjusted depending on our progress).

Grading policy

Class attendance and homework completion are required parts of the course. Homework assignments will be regularly posted on the course webpage and collected every two weeks, on Thursdays. Late homework will not be accepted. There will be a take-home midterm exam and a take-home final exam. The tentative exam schedule is:

Midterm exam: Take-home: to be handed out on Thursday, 3/13/25; due on Thursday, 3/27/25
Final Exam: Take-home: to be handed out on Tuesday, 5/1/25; due on Tuesday, 5/8/25

The grade break-down will be as follows:

Homework = 20%
Midterm = 40%
Final = 40%

The grading scale used for this class will be:

95-100% = A, 90-94% = A-
85-89% = B+, 80-84% = B, 75-79% = B-
70-74% = C+, 65-69 % = C, 60-64% = C-
57-59% = D+, 52-56% = D, 50-51% = D-
0-49% = F

I reserve the right to introduce a curve (up or down) at the end of the semester depending on the class's overall performance.

Additional resources

In addition to my office hours, regular mentoring hours will be held by our TA Sehun Jeong (email: sehun.jeong@cgu.edu). Time and place TBA.

Important dates

February 3, Monday: Last day for adding courses for the Spring semester.

March 13, Thursday: Last day to drop courses without record.
March 17-21, Monday-Friday: Spring break.
April 18, Friday: Last day to opt for CR/NC grading in elective courses; last day to withdraw voluntarily from a full semester course with a grade of "W".
May 6, Tuesday: Last class meeting.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the class policies.

All printed handouts and web-materials are protected by US Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made without written permission by the instructor.