Abstract Algebraic Systems – MATH 520

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course focuses on developing an understanding of basic algebraic concepts and the structures of groups, rings, fields and homomorphisms through both examples and proofs.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

A basic understanding of algebraic systems, built on the fundamental axioms, is necessary to understand and effectively explain the processes used when “doing” algebra. This course is designed to provide an axiomatic understanding of the structure of general algebraic systems which can then be applied to subsets of the real numbers.

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion: Student Introduction Video

The student will make a short video introduction himself/herself for the class and the instructor. The student must make sure that he/she can be seen and heard in the video. This assignment also acts as a trial run for the required Video Demonstrations.

Video Demonstration Assignments (4)

Each demonstration is a concise, precise, well-practiced presentation of the proof of some given proposition in geometry. These assignments serve as a way of demonstrating knowledge and practicing correct presentation of mathematical proofs in a simulated classroom setting. The student will record videos of himself/herself explaining mathematical concepts. Each video must be no longer than 5 minutes.

Homework Assignments (6)

Homework problems are essential to this course and each student will be assigned homework problems to complete throughout the course. One homework problem out of the assigned problems will be submitted for grading in the assigned Module(s): Week(s).

Quizzes (7)

Each quiz will be timed, handwritten, be open-book/open-notes/open-video, and will cover material from the videos in the assigned Module: Week. The time limit for each quiz is 1 hour. The quizzes are some combination of true/false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions.

Quiz: Homework Portfolio Assignments (2)

Homework will be assigned weekly. Homework for the first half of the course will be scanned into a single document and sent as a homework portfolio before the Midterm Exam in its assigned Module: Week. Homework from the last half of the course will be scanned into a single document and sent as a homework portfolio before the Final Exam in its assigned Module: Week. Many exam problems will come from the assigned homework.

Quiz: Exams (2)

Each exam will be timed, handwritten, and open-book/open-notes/open-video and will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. The time limit for the Midterm Exam is 2 hours. The time limit for the Final Exam is 3 hours. On all written work, the student is expected to write correct mathematics to avoid point deductions.