The most up-to-date information on this course can be found on the Courseworks page for this course.

Time and place: MW 8:40-9:55 Location: Diana Center LL103 (Barnard Campus)
Lecturer: Walter Neumann (x45074, 616 Mathematics, neumann@math.columbia.edu, www.math.columbia.edu/~neumann); office hours MW 10:30--11:30 or by appointment

This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence on Abstract Algebra. This semester will discuss group theory. A rough guide to what we will cover plus notes for the first two lectures can be found here and also in the "Files and Resources" tab on courseworks. The first homework is posted here for the convenience of students who have not yet registered. Both these links will be removed in a few days.

Recommended Text: Dummit and Foote, Abstract Algebra, third edition, Wiley 2004. Available at the University bookstore; see also AddALL.

Other recommended texts. There are very many texts in Abstract Algebra and just browsing the library is recommended for further examples, history, or different treatment of the material. Here is a selection of some recommended ones.

Michael Artin, Algebra, second edition, Pierson, 2011
Derek J.S. Robinson, An Introduction to Abstract Algebra, de Gruyter, 2003.
Thomas Hungerford, Abstract Algebra: An Introduction, Brooks Cole, 1996.
Joseph Gallian, Contemporary Abstract Algebra, seventh edition, Brooks-Cole, 2009.
I Herstein, Topics in Algebra, John Wiley, 1975.

Homework: There will be weekly problem sets, due in the homework box on the 4th floor Mathematics by 1pm on Wednesdays. Although only a portion of the homework will be graded, you should attempt every homework problem and eventually understand how to do every problem correctly. Collaboration and discussion with classmates is encouraged, but you must write up assignments individually.

Exams: There will be two 75-minute midterm exams and a final. Schedule:

• First Exam, Feb 19
• Second Exam, Apr 2
• Final: this is centrally scheduled by the University: May 14 9:00am. It must be taken at the scheduled time.

Grading: The final course grade will be determined by:

Homework: 25%
Midterm exams each: 25%,
Final exam: 25%.

Help: My office hours are MW 10:30-11:30 or by appointment. Help is also available without appointment in the Mathematics help room (406 Mathematics).