MATH 412 – Theory of Numbers                                 Spring 2022

Instructor: Neil Sigmon
Office: Whitt 226
Phone: 831-5340
Email: npsigmon@radford.edu
Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/npsigmon
Course Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/npsigmon/courses/numtheory/math412.html
Office Hrs:  12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday
                  (Other times by appointment)
Zoom Link: https://radford.zoom.us/j/8709794059

 Textbook: A Friendly Introduction to Number Theory, 4th Edition, Joseph Silverman.

 Class Meeting Times: Tuesday Thursday 3:30-4:45 p.m. in Whitt 003. This course counts 3
 hours credit.

 Test Dates: To be announced (There will be two major tests and a Final Exam).

Final Exam Date: Tuesday, May 3rd at 2:45 p.m. in Whitt 003.
                              Take Home Part: Due by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 5th.

 Grading Policy:   50 % Major Tests (Two)

                           25 % Final Exam

                             20 % Homework

                             5 %   Term Paper*

 b* The term paper will be a short paper (4 pages) describing a person or method pertaining
to number theory. Ideas can be found in the text and by seeing me. I must approve the topic
you choose. 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 Friday April 22nd.

 

Grade Scale:  90-100    A
                       87-89      B+                                         
                       80-86      B
                       77-79      C+
                       70-76      C       
                       67-69      D+
                        60-66      D
                        < 60        F
                        A “-” grade will be awarded at the discretion of the instructor

 Prerequisite: Math 300

 Textbook Coverage: Chapters 2, 5-19 and other selected topics as time permits.

 b“Makeup” Test Policy: Approval for making up a missed test should be given prior to the
scheduled test. The makeup test must be taken within one week following the scheduled test.
Documentation is required for all make-ups. Except for extraordinary circumstances, approval
for a makeup test will not be granted if the scheduled test has already been given.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is a requirement in this class. If you miss a class or lab, you are responsible for making up any missed work. Attendance will be taken each class. Attendance means RESPONSIBILITY – I look much more favorably on students who have good attendance habits.

Late Homework Policy: Late hand-written homework will be accepted but only limited credit  will be given. I consider late homework to be homework turned in later than 11:30 p.m. of the  day the assignment is due. The maximum number of points a student can receive for a late homework is ten points lower than the minimum grade of all students who have turned in the assignment on time. For example, if an assigned homework is worth 80 points and the lowest score of the on-time assignments is 60/80, the maximum grade a student can receive for the assignment is 50/80. No exceptions to this policy will be granted except for extreme circumstances that require official university documentation or a predetermined arrangement between the student and myself that is done prior to the assignment due date. Late assignments must be turned in within one class day of the assignment due date to obtain any credit.

 Laptop/Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy: No cell phones, computers, or other electronic devices are to be used in this class when these devices are not being used in a way that is conducive for learning what is being taught in class during a particular day or time. Determining what is conducive will be left up to the instructor's discretion. The instructor retains the right to ask a student to leave class if they exhibit this or any other behavior that is a distraction to learning for other students in the class.

 
Catalog Course Description: Study of divisibility, primes, congruences, diophantine equations and quadratic residues. Applications and the history of number theory will be discussed as appropriate throughout the course.

 Student Goals and Objectives of the Course: Students are expected to gain knowledge of, and skills with, the basic theorems of number theory.

Disability Policy: Students seeking academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must register with the Center for Accessibility Services (CAS) to determine eligibility. Students qualified for academic accommodations will receive accommodation letters and should meet with each course professor during office hours, to review and discuss accommodations.  To begin the registration process, complete a Student Registration Form and submit documentation to PO Box 6902, Radford, Virginia 24142, or deliver to the Russell Hall, Room 325, by fax to 540-831-6525, or by email to cas@radford.edu (See documentation guidelines).  For more information, visit the Center for Accessibility Services (CAS) website or call 540-831-6350.

Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of the University Honor Code include (but are not limited to): lying, stealing and unauthorized possession of property, cheating, multiple submission, and plagiarism. This class will be conducted in strict observation of the honor code. Refer to your Student Handbook for a complete copy of the University Honor Code.