100A, Fall 2026
Math 100A Abstract Algebra, Fall 2026
Professor
Elham Izadi ; AP&M 6240 ; phone: 858-534-2638 ;
email: eizadi@ucsd.edu ; Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00-12:00,
Lectures: Tuesday, Thursday 9:30-10:50 AP&M B402A
Teaching Assistant
Lillian McPherson ; HSS 3072 ;
email: lmcpherson@ucsd.edu ; Office hours: Mondays and Tuesdays 14:00-16:00
Sections: Wednesdays 14:00-14:50 and 15:00-15:50 Center Hall 207
Course description
Math 100A is the first quarter of a
rigorous introduction to abstract algebra.
While the long-term goal, to be achieved in the third quarter, is to understand
Galois theory, the topic covered in this quarter will be group theory.
Should you take this course?
Math 100ABC is a rigorous
introduction to abstract algebra in which concepts and proofs are
emphasized more than techniques. Math majors may choose to take
either Math 100ABC or Math 103AB (Modern Algebra), which is less
theoretical. However, students who are contemplating graduate
study in mathematics are advised to take Math100 rather than Math
103. The prerequisite for this course is either Math 31CH or Math
109. It is strongly recommended that students who got less than a B+ in
109 take 103 instead.
Text
Abstract Algebra, Fourth Edition, by John A. Beachy,
William D. Blair
Sections 1,2,3,7 are on the syllabus for this quarter. Note that
most of Chapter 1 and some of Chapter 2 are review from Math 109.
Homework
There will be weekly homework assignments which
you can submit to Canvas. Weekly homework assignments will not be
graded. Instead, there will be weekly quizzes during your discussion
sessions which will be collected and graded. The problems on the
quizzes will be selected from the homework problems for the
corresponding week. You are encouraged to work on the homework
problems with a small group of other students in the class. If you
submit your homework to Canvas before the due date, you will have the
opportunity to have your classmates look at your homework and comment
on it. You will also be able to look at your classmates' homework and
comment on their work.
The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
Exams
Final Exam: Thursday December 10, 8:00-10:59, in AP&M B402A
Midterm 1: Thursday October 15, in class
Midterm 2: Thursday November 19, in class
No make-up exams will be given. No notes, textbooks or calculators
are allowed during exams.
Grading
Your final grade for the course will be computed
as follows
Quizzes: 20%
Each midterm: 20%
Final: 40%
Class notes
09/24/2026
09/29/2026
Homework assignements
Homework 1: Due Wednesday September 30:
Read: Chapter 1, Appendices A1 through A5
Problems to turn in: (1.1)p. 15#18, 19, 20, 22 ; (1.2)p. 25 #12, 14, 20, 22
Solutions
Homework 2: Due Wednesday October 7:
Read: Chapter 2
Problems: (1.3)p. 36 #12, 18 ; (1.4)p. 47 #5, 8 ; (2.1)p. 65 #9,
10, 20
; (2.2)p. 74 #3, 5, 10
Solutions
Homework 3: Due Friday October 16: please note the unusual date and the fact
that the material for this homework is on the syllabus for midterm 1
Read: Section 3.1
Problems: (2.3)p. 88 #3, 4 (b)(d), 13, (3.1)p. 106 #2 (b)(d)(e), 5, 9, 10
Solutions
The first midterm (on October 15) will cover the material of
homework assignments 1, 2, 3, and Chapters 1, 2 and Section 3.1
in the book.
Practice problems for midterm 1
Solutions to First Midterm
Homework 4: Due Wednesday October 21:
Read: Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Problems: (3.2)p. 113 #8, 11, 15, 16, 19, 21
Solution
Homework 5: Due Wednesday October 28:
Read: Sections 3.5, 3.6
Problems: (3.1) p. 102 #24, (3.3)p. 123 #9, 11, 14, 15,
(3.4)p. 132 #2, 4, 6, 16, 21
Solutions
Homework 6: Due Wednesday November 4:
Read: Sections 3.7, 3.8
Problems: (3.3)p. 124 #16, 17, (3.5)p. 141 #3, 11, 12, 20, (3.6)p. 150
#4, 5, 6
Solutions
Homework 7: Due Friday November 13: please note the unusual due date
and the change in office hours explained below (due to the
Veterans day holiday).
Read: Sections 7.1, 7.2
Problems: (3.6)p. 151 #9, 10, 11, (3.7)p. 162 #3, 4, 7(b)(d)(f), 15,
(3.8)p. 176 #2, 4, 6
Solutions
The second midterm (on November 19) will cover the material of
Chapter 3.
Practice problems for midterm 2
Solutions to Second Midterm
Homework 8: Due Wednesday November 25:
Read: Sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
Problems: (3.7)p. 164 #18, (3.8)p. 176 #9, 10, 11, 13, 20, 21, 23, (7.1)p. 321 #1, 4
Please remember that my office hours this week are moved to Tuesday.
Solutions
Homework 9: Due Wednesday December 2:
Review as much as you can and come to class with lots of questions
Problems: (7.1)p. 322 #9, 12, 13, (7.2)p. 329 #1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 13, 15
Solutions
Practice problems for Final exam
Additional office hours for the Final Exam:
Elham Izadi
Last modified: Thu Oct 1 13:57:56 PDT 2026