Course News: The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 19, 10am - 12 pm. Here is The Sample Final.

Due to the bomb scare on campus disrupting class last Tuesday, the midterm exam has been postponed one week to Tuesday Nov. 6. I have posted a sample midterm which will also serve as homework due Tuesday Nov. 6. In the meanwhile, here is a link to some sample ring theory problems which have the merit that they contain solutions (though I have not read them carefully myself).

Course Description: This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence on abstract algebra at the graduate level. In the first semester, we cover the basics of rings and modules. Some prior exposure to ring theory is helpful but not absolutely necessary.

Meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:45, in Lederle 1234.

Instructor: Dr. Farshid Hajir
Office: Lederle 1118
Phone: 545-6015
Email: hajir@math.umass.edu

Office Hours: Current office hours are MW 9:30-10:30 but probably will change after the first week or two of class. You are always welcome to contact me via e-mail or phone to set up an appointment.

Text: 1) Dummit and Foote: Abstract Algebra , Third Ed., Wiley, 2004.
We'll follow Dummit and Foote very closely, but occasionally, I might post some COURSE NOTES to mywebsite.

Quizzes: Quizzes may be given on occasion. they may or may not be announced ahead of time. They will consist of one or two very simple questions. Absolutely no make-up quizzes will be given. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped when computing your quiz average score.

Homework: Homework will be posted on The Homework Page and collected regularly at the beginning of lecture, usually on Thursdays. Late homework will not be accepted and the lowest homework grade will be dropped. Be sure to read and follow the homework rules.

Attendance: Attendance in mind as well as body is required. I consider attendance AND participation important ingredients for your success in the course. Frequent absences will be reflected in your grade.

Extra Credit: Some extra credit problems will be included in the homework assignments, or given during class.  The number of points for each problem will vary, as will the difficulty of the problem. The student with the most points at the end of the semester wins a fabulous prize. You may hand in Extra Credit solutions at any time throughout the term, until the Final Exam.

Grading:
   homework, quizzes, participation - 50%
   1 midterm - 25% each
   Final exam - 25%