TITLE: Honors Modern Algeba 1

CLASS TIME and ROOM: MW 11:00am-12:20pm, HC 115

TEXT: Abstract Algebra 3rd ed. David S. Dummitt & Richard M. Foote, 2004 (ISBN 978-0-471-43334-7)

PROFESSOR: Dr. Warren Wm. McGovern

OFFICE & PHONE: HC 115 & 6-8028 (easier to contact me via email)

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: MAS 2103 or permission by instructor

CONTENT: Elementary number theory. Groups, rings and ideals, polynomials, and fields.
This is the first semester of a two semester sequence in Modern Algebra.

CLASS STRUCTURE: The class will be run mostly in a lecture style format. The first two to three weeks will be run in a modified "Moore Method" style (aka Discovery Learning). The instructor always encourages discussions and questions concerning the material. Some days will be used for collaborative efforts. A detailed list of HW problems will be kept on on 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. Part of the first assignment is for the students to familiarize themselves with the "Moore Method." I will talk about this during the first class period.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular attendance is expected. If a student misses a class meeting it is his/her responsibility to obtain the class notes either from another student or from the instructor during regularly scheduled office hours. If a student misses more than four classes the instructor has the right to lower the final grade by one letter. 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.

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.

Date	Day	Event
October 23rd	Wednesday	Test 1
November 20th	Wednesday	Test 2
December 11th	Wednesday, 10:30am-1:00pm	Final Exam

Each test/exam will be cummulative and knowledge of previous material is essential. Each quiz will cover material since the prior quiz. I will try to be as straightforward as possible with regards to the material covered over the quizzes, tests, and 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%-90% B, 70%-80% C, 60%-70% D, below 60% F.

Collaboration and the Honor Code: You are expected to adhere to the Honor Code (see HC Honors Code). Remember to document all sources.

This course was developed out of an FAU Curriculum Grant Program, designed to support integrating research and inquiry ideas and activities into course assignments, and engaging students in the process of discovery as part of FAU’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) program: Distinction through Discovery. As part of this course, some of your work samples may be collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the Distinction through Discovery program. For more information about the QEP, please visit http://www.fau.edu/qep/