Instructor: Neil Sigmon Office: Walker 212
Phone:
831-5340 Email:
npsigmon@radford.edu
Homepage:
http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon
Course Homepage:
http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon/courses/Math623/math623.html
Office Hrs: 9:45 – 10:45 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday
(Other times by appointment)
Textbook: Course Notes (no textbook will be required).
Required
Resource: To do the computer assignments for this
course,
students will need access to the symbolic manipulator Maple. A
discounted
version of the Maple 15 student version may be purchased for $75 at the
website:
http://www.maplesoft.com/academic/adoptioncenter/adoptioncenter_coursedetail.aspx?EID=7337
Supplemental Textbooks (not required for purchase):
1.
Abstract Algebra And Introduction, Thomas W. Hungerford.
2. Applications of Abstract Algebra with Maple and
MATLAB, 2nd Edition, Klima, Sigmon, and Stitzinger.
Class Meeting Times: Monday 5-8 p.m. in the Walker 279 distance
education learning room.
Grading Policy: 30 % Midterm (Take home)
30 % Final Exam (Take Home)
30 % Homework and Maple Assignments
10 % Term Paper*
* The term
paper will be a short paper (5 pages) describing a person or method
pertaining to abstract
algebra, number theory, or applications. I will give you a list of
possible topics but you are free to choose
one yourself as long as it pertains to some type of mathematics
(preferably abstract algebra or number
theory). The paper should be typewritten (using Microsoft Word, for
example) using 1.5 inch spacing
and should have good grammatical structure with references clearly
stated. Do not plagiarize!
The term paper will be due Monday, December 5th.
Grade Scale: 90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
< 60 F
Prerequisite: Math 423 (Abstract Algebra). Some background in number theory and linear algebra is helpful.
Course Coverage: Rings, polynomial rings, basic number
theory, finite fields, error-correcting
codes, cryptography, and other applications as time permits.