TITLE: Introductory Number Theory
CLASS TIME and ROOM: MW 9:30am-10:50pm, Room HC 115
TEXT: Elementary Number Theory 7th ed. David Burton, 2011 (ISBN:9780073383149)
PROFESSOR: Dr. Warren Wm. McGovern
OFFICE & PHONE: HC 162 & 6-8028
E-mail: warren.mcgovern@fau.edu ; http://home.fau.edu/wmcgove1/web/
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays 8:10am-9:25am, 12:30pm--1:50pm, Wednesdays 8:10am-9:25am, 12:30pm -- 1:50pm
PREREQUISITES: MAC 2312 or MAC 2282.
CONTENT: The basic theory of divisibility and congruences. The theorems of Fermat, Euler and Wilson.
Quadratic residues.
CLASS STRUCTURE: The class will be mostly run in a lecture style format though the instructor encourages discussions and questions concerning the material. Some days will be used for collaborative efforts. A detailed list will be kept on Blackboard and my webpage. Though the homework will only occassionally be collected and graded, the student is expected to do all the problems as this will aid in the student's understanding of the material. Please feel free to come to office hours if you have additional questions about the homework.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular attendance is expected. If a student misses a class meeting it is the students' responsibility to obtain the class notes either from another student or from the instructor during regularly scheduled office hours. However, the latter usually means the student will be given the sections that were covered. If a student misses more than 5 classes, the instructor has the right to drop the student's course grade by one letter. If a student misses more than 10 classes the instructor reserves the right to drop the student's course grade up to 4 letters
EXAM SCHEDULE: There will be some pop quizzes, two tests, and a final examination. The two tests and final exam will take place during the regurlarly scheduled class time on the following dates unless otherwise noted. All exams will be taken as scheduled, unless prior arrangements are made, with at least 48 hours of advance notice. I, and only I, have the right to agree to giving a makeup exam.
| Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|
| September 25th | Wednesday | Test 1 |
| October 30th | Wednesday | Test 2 |
| December 9th | Monday, 7:45am-10:15am | Final Exam |
EVALUATION: Throughout the course the student will have opportunities to gain and lose points. The most
common
examples of gaining points (but not limited to) are through the pop quizzes, homework problems, tests, final exams,
extra-credit problems,
and class participation. The most common examples of losing points (but not limited to) are not taking a quiz, test,
or
final, or an unsatisfactory attendance record. At the end of the semester if the student's (net) point total is
greater than or equal to
90% of the total possible number of points then the student will have earned an A. The rest of the grades are as
follows
80%-89.9% B, 70%-79.9% C, 60%-69.9% D, below 60% F. The cutoffs for plusses are the standard ones used at FAU:
For a plus means you are less than 2.5% away from the next grade.
The instructor shall keep the total points in his gradebook. Scores posted on Blackboard are not complete and usually only cover
tests, the final, and quizzes. Blackboard is merely a a sketch of the student's progress or lack-there-of.
Collaboration and the Honor Code: You are expected to adhere to the Honor Code (see Honor Code). You must document all sources.
DISCLAIMER: The instructor reserves the right to change/alter/add/delete any statement from this syllabus in hopes of creating a more enjoyable/equitable course.