Math 104A (Number Theory I) - Fall 2023

Professor: CRISTIAN D. POPESCU - Lectures: TTh 8-9:20am, AP&M B402A
Office Hours: TTh 11:00-12:00, AP&M 6256
Office: AP&M 6256; Phone: 858-534-6297; E-mail: cpopescu@ucsd.edu

Teaching Assistants: RAMANUJAN SRIHARI - Discussion Sections: W 3:00-3:50pm, HSS 4025.
Office Hours: F 3:30-5:30pm in HSS 4012.
E-mail: rsrihari@ucsd.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

WHAT IS MATH 104A? This is the first course in algebraic number theory for undergraduate students with background in abstract algebra. We will cover most of the material in Chapters 1 - 8 of the textbook.

TEXT Kenneth Ireland and Michael Rosen, A Classical Introduction to Number Theory, Second Edition, Springer 1990.

EXAMS

Midterm 1 - Tuesday, October 24, 8am. Topics: TBA.
Midterm 2 - Tuesday, November 21, 8am. Topics: TBA
Final Exam - Tuesday, December 12, 8am-11am. Topics: TBA.
No notes, textbooks, calculators are allowed during exams. No make-up exams will be given and no late homework will be accepted. Cheating on an exam results in 0 points for that exam, as well as further disciplinary action. Please read very carefully the following ACADEMIC INTEGRITY GUIDELINES.

GRADING POLICY

Midterms: 20% each; Comprehensive Final Exam: 40%; Homework (collected weekly): 20%. The grading will be done on a curve, the median corresponding to a B-/C+.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

Lecture attendance is mandatory. Office hour attendance is strongly encouraged.

Conversations: Please avoid having private conversations with your classmates during lecture and office hours.

E-mail etiquette: I will not discuss mathematics (e.g. solutions or hints of solutions to HW problems) via email. Office hours and lectures are the best venue for that purpose. However, if you have any type of administrative questions regarding this class, please do not hesitate to send me short and to the point email messages.

IMPORTANT: The weekly HW assignments, lecture topics and exam topics will be announced in CANVAS in a timely manner.

GETTING HELP

Help with mathematical problems:

Section: Ask questions in section --- this is one of the main reasons why sections exist.
Office Hours: You are strongly advised to take full advantage of your professor's and ta's office hours.
Classmates: Sometimes a classmate can help. Sometimes you can learn by working out problems together with your classmates.

Help with personal problems which affect your class work:

Talk to the professor or, if appropriate, your college provost.