Math 104B (Number Theory) - Winter 2005

Professor: CRISTIAN D. POPESCU -- Lectures: MWF 9:00-9:50am, in CENTR 207
Office Hours: Mo. & We. 10:00 - 11:00am, in AP&M 6256.
Office: AP&M 6256; Phone: 858-534-6297; E-mail: cpopescu@math.ucsd.edu

Teaching Assistant: Caleb Emmons -- Discussion Section: W 6-6:50pm, in SEQUO 147
Office Hours: M 11-12:30, in AP&M 6337A
E-mail: cemmons@math.ucsd.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

WHAT IS MATH 104B? This is the second undergraduate course in number theory. In this course we examine topics from elementary number theory and we focus on three major themes: 1) Diophantine Equations; 2) Rational and Irrational Numbers; 3) The arithmetic of quadratic fields.

TEXT Stark, H. M., An Introduction to Number Theory (The MIT Press, 1987). You are expected to read the text BEFORE each lecture.

EXAMS

Midterm I - Monday, January 31, 9:00am, in CENTR 207. Topics: 5.1, 2.5, 5.2-5.4.
Midterm II - Monday, February 28, 9:00am, in CENTR 207. Topics: 6.1, 6.2-6.3, App. C, 8.1-8.3
Final Exam - Wednesday, March 16, 8:00-11:00am. Location: CENTR 207. Topics: 2.5, 5.1-5.4, 6.1-6.3, 8.1-8.5, App. C.
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 1+2: 20% each; Final Exam: 40%; Homework: 20%. The grading will be done on a curve, the median corresponding to a B-/C+.

IMPORTANT LINKS Schedule and Homework.

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.