Mathematics 230

Textbook: "Introduction to Algebra" by Peter J. Cameron, Oxford, 1998, ISBN 0-19-850194-3.

Help Centre: will be held every Thursday from 4 to 6 PM in MC 107. (Exception: February 3 in MC 108) TA: Vahid Shirbisheh (vshirbis@uwo.ca)

Course web page: http://www.math.uwo.ca/~shafikov/230/

Course Description: Course meets MWF 9-10 AM in TC 342.
An introduction to abstract algebra, with principal emphasis on the structure of groups, rings, integral domains and fields. Some applications will be also discussed. Cannot be taken for credit by students in honours Mathematics program. We will cover material from Chapters 1, 2, 6, 3, 8 in the text, as time and the background of students permits. Other topics, from the text or not, may be added.

Prerequisites: Linear Algebra 040a/b, or the former Applied Mathematics 212a, 214b, or the former Mathematics 202a. The following statement is required by Senate regulations:

``Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission form your Dean to enroll in it, you will be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.''

What is expected of a student? You should keep up with the material, since falling behind is the most frequent cause of poor achievement in math courses. Homework assignments is normally a good indication of that. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered and whether any announcements were made.

Senate Regulations on Scholastic Offences (Plagiarism and Cheating) Please note the following points, which are required to be stated in this outline by Senate regulations.

• ``Plagiarism: Students must write their essays and assignments in their own words. Whenever students take an idea, or a passage from another author, they must acknowledge their debt both by using quotation marks where appropriate and by proper referencing such as footnotes or citations. Plagiarism is a major academic offence (see Scholastic Offence Policy in the Western Academic Calendar)''
• ``Plagiarism Checking: The University of Western Ontario uses software for plagiarism checking. Students may be required to submit their written work in electronic form for plagiarism checking.''
• In addition, if any computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams are given, software to check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating may be used.

Evaluation: The final grade will be evaluated as follows: homework = 20%, midterms = 25% each, and final = 30%. Upto 5% may be added for active class participation.