Math 150b: Modern Algebra

Basic information

Textbook, syllabus, and grades

I will use Artin, Algebra, as the course textbook. I will roughly (or not so roughly) follow the approved department syllabus, which this quarter covers linear algebra and ring theory.

The grading is as follows:

Office visit: 1%
Homework: 10%
Two midterms: 22% each
Final exam: 45%

You should come to see me at least once during office hours by the time of the second midterm. Come prepared with a good question. It can be a question about anything, not necessarily about the course material or even about mathematics at all, although naturally I am always available to answer course material questions.

Homework and solutions

The homework will generally be due on Fridays. Homework up to one week late will be accepted for up to half credit, assuming that it looks adequately different from any posted solutions. You should feel free to hand in part of the homework on time if you did not finish.

Usually I would like to see explanations of your answers in complete sentences. This is less necessary if the answer is just direct calculation. You do not have to show all of your scratch work, but you should show full work to support your conclusions.

Thanks to the TAs for the homework solution sets.

Midterm 1 solutions.
Midterm 2 solutions.