MATH 340: Algebra II: Rings and Fields
                           Fall 2010.
                        Michael Monagan

Lectures:  MWF 11:30am-12:20pm in WMC 2202
Tutorials: Tuesdays at 12:30pm and 1:30pm in AQ 5020.

   However, on some Tuesdays I will give a Maple tutorial instead, namely on
     September 21, October 19, November 9 and November 30 
   in MCF PC Lab 1 in AQ 3148.1.

Software: Maple will be used for some calculations on assignments.
   I will give one 1 hour introductory tutorial on Maple on Thursday
   September 9th at 10:30am and at 11:30am in MCF PC Lab 1 in AQ 3148.1
   If you took MACM 202 using Maple, you do not need to come.
   Maple notes showing for this course are available on the course website.

   Note Maple (version 14) is being installed on the PCs and MACs in the
   open labs, assignment labs, and in the library.  Any recent version of
   Maple e.g. Maple 10, 11, 12 or 13, will be fine for this course.

Instructor: Michael Monagan : mmonagan@cecm.sfu.ca
  Office: TLX 10501, Phone (778) 782-4279
  My home page: http://www.cecm.sfu.ca/~mmonagan
  Course web page: http://www.cecm.sfu.ca/~mmonagan/teaching/MATH340Fall10
  Office hours: Tuesdays 3-4pm, Wednesdays 2-3pm, and Fridays 2-3pm.

Teaching Assistant: Stephen Kieffer : skieffer@cecm.sfu.ca
  Office: P 4495 (the CECM lab)

Grading:
  8 Assignments 25%
  1 Midterm     20%   Wednesday October 27th in class.
  1 Final Exam  55%   Thursday December 9th, 12:00-15:00, Room TBA

Textbook: Introduction to Applied Algebraic Systems.
          Normal R. Reilly   ISBN 978-0-19-536787-4

Content:  Chapter 1: Modular Arithmetic (approx 11 lectures)
          Chapter 2: Rings and Fields (approx 11 lectures)
          Chapter 2: Finite Fields (approx 11 lectures)
          Chapter 3: Groups (approx 2 lectures)

    The focus of the first part of the course is on learning to prove
    theorems about integers, equivalence relations and modular arithmetic.
    The focus of the second part of the course is on rings and fields,
    in particular polynomial rings and the field of complex numbers.
    The focus of the third part of the course is on the construction
    of finite fields and their application to error correcting codes.
    Lastly an introduction to groups which is the subject of the next
    algebra course MATH 341 Algebra III Groups given next semester.
    As well as "covering the material", my goal is to teach you how to read
    and write proofs and how to use Maple for algebraic computations.

Cheating Policy:
    All instances of cheating will be reported.
  o If you are caught copying another students assignment work you
    will get zero for that assignment and all previous assignments.
  o If you lend your assignment to a student who copies any part
    of your assignment, you too will get zero for that assignment.
  o I will determine whether you have cheated by asking you to
    explain what you wrote.
  o If you are caught cheating on the midterm or final,
    you will get zero for that exam.