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\hspace{0.3in}\textsf{\textbf{{\Large Mathematics 403A}}}
\hspace{0.3in}\textsf{\textbf{{\Large Winter 2005}}}

\vspace{0.1in}

\header{Instructor}: John Palmieri, Padelford C-538, 543-1785, 
  \url{palmieri@math.washington.edu} \\
\header{Class time and place}: MWF 9:30, Denny 212 \\
\header{Office hours}:  Monday 1:30-2:30, Tuesday 10:30-11:30,
  drop-in, and by appointment \\   
\header{Web page}:
\url{http://www.math.washington.edu/~palmieri/Math403/} \\
\header{Text book}:  \emph{Algebra} by Michael Artin.

\header{Examinations and grading}. I will give weekly homework
assignments; there will also be a midterm and a final exam.  I will
post the homework assignments on the course web page, and they will be
due \textbf{each Wednesday at 2:30pm}, in my office.  The midterm will
take place, tentatively, on \textbf{Wednesday, February 2}.  After
I've graded the midterm, you will have a few days to correct some of
your mistakes for some extra credit. I'll give you more details as the
time approaches.  The final exam will take place on \textbf{Wednesday,
March 16, 8:30--10:20}.  You will also prepare a portfolio of homework
problems, due on \textbf{Friday, March 4}.  The midterm is worth 20\%
of the grade, the final is worth 25\%, the homework is worth 35\%, and
the portfolio is worth 20\% (10\% for content, and 10\% for
participation).

\header{Reading and homework}. The best way to learn mathematics is to
do it, so you should read the book and do the homework problems.  I
will provide weekly reading assignments, and you can respond to them
by sending me a reading report by \textbf{Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm}.
This report should contain questions (and comments, if you want) about
the reading.  All together, these reading reports will count the same
as one homework assignment; if you do at least five reading
assignments, you will get full credit.  If you do fewer than five, you
will get no credit for this.

% By the way, when you read a section of the book, you should also read
% all of the problems.  Sometimes there are interesting results in the
% problems, and sometimes an unassigned problem can provide clues about
% how to do an assigned one.

Feel free to work with other people on your homework, but you must
write your solutions yourself.  If you find a solution in a book or
some other source, please provide a reference.  A good approach for
homework is to first try to do a problem on your own, and then if you
run into difficulties, you can discuss the confusing issues with your
classmates.  Of course, you are certainly welcome to ask me or the TA
for suggestions.

\header{Portfolio}. The portfolio is described on a separate sheet.
We will spend a few class days working in groups to discuss these
problems, and several times during the quarter, you will peer review each
other's solutions.  Your participation grade (10\% of the total for
the course) will be based on your involvement in these activities.  The
quality of the portfolio (both mathematical and writing) is worth
another 10\%.

\header{Office hours}. Feel free to drop by my office; if I'm there
and not talking to someone else, I'm probably available to talk.  If
I'm not there, email is a good way to contact me, since I check it
pretty regularly.  I will not be in my office on most Thursdays.

\header{Plan for the course}. This quarter, we will be studying ring
theory: Chapters 10 and 11 of the book.

\header{Other books}. There are lots of fine algebra books out there,
and it's often a good idea to look at different approaches to
mathematical concepts.  I have put two books, \emph{A First Course in
Abstract Algebra} by Rotman and \emph{Abstract Algebra} by Herstein,
on reserve in the math library (Padelford C-306).  See the course web
page for a list of other books you might look at.

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