Math 103A Syllabus
Winter 2024

Course:   Math 103A ( Course Catalog)

Title:  Modern Algebra I

Credit Hours:  4   (Students may not receive credit for both Math 100A and Math 103A.)

Prerequisites:   Math 31CH or Math 109 or consent of instructor.

Catalog Description:  First course in a two-quarter introduction to abstract algebra with some applications. Emphasis on group theory. Topics include: definitions and basic properties of groups, properties of isomorphisms, subgroups.

Textbook:  The required textbook for the course is A First Course in Abstract Algebra (7th edition) by John Fraleigh or First Course in Abstract Algebra (8th Edition) by John Fraleigh and Neal Brand.

Material Covered:  We will cover 7th edition sections 0--11, 13, and 14, or 8th edition sections 0--10, 12, and 13, however, lectures may sometimes include additional topics or I may give a different point of view.

Course Readings:  Reading the sections in the textbook that correspond to what we are discussing in class is a very important part of learning the subject. Lecture time is very limited and not every subject can be fully covered in the time allotted for lecture. With material at this level, it is in your own interests to read the related chapters in the textbook.

Homework:   Homework assignments will be announced on Canvas.


• Homework is to be submitted to Gradescope on Fridays by 11:59 pm Pacific Time. However, in order to accomodate for unforeseen technical difficulties, we will accept homework submitted within 24 hours from the due date without a penalty.
• There will be 8-9 problem sets. Your lowest homework score will be dropped.
• In view of the above arrangement, NO late homework will be accepted.
• You can work on the problems with your classmates, but you must write down your own version. Copying solutions from others, ChatGPT, Chegg, etc. is not accepted and is considered cheating.
• A good portion of the exams will be based on the weekly problem sets. So it is extremely important for you to make sure that you understand each one of them.

Exams:  There will be two midterms and a final exam:


• Midterm 1: Wednesday, January 31 in class
• Midterm 2: Wednesday, February 28 in class
• Final Exam: Wednesday, March 20 (A sections) or Friday, March 22 (C sections); TBD


• Unless otherwise prohibited explicitly in the instructions, you can use one 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of handwritten notes (both sides).
• You must bring a valid photo ID to all the exams.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have a schedule conflict involving the final examination.
  You should not enroll in this class if you cannot sit for the final examination at its scheduled time.
• Make-up exams will not be given.

Grading:

Your weighted score is the best of


• 20% Homework,   22.5% each midterm,   35% Final Exam
• 20% Homework,   30% best midterm,   50% Final Exam


Your letter grade is determined by your weighted score using the best of the following methods:



• A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D	F
  97	93	90	87	83	80	77	73	70	60	<60



• Based on a curve where the median corresponds to the cut-off B-/C+.

Please notice that outside factors, including the need for a certain grade for admission/retention in any academic program, scholarship or transfer credit, graduation requirements or personal desire for a specific grade DO NOT appear in the above calculations, and thus are not considered in any way in the determination of your course grade. Effort, improvement, and participation will all dramatically improve your grade in the course in that they will allow you to do well on exams, and the final exam. They will NOT, however, actively participate in the calculation of your course grade.

Regrades:  All graded material will be returned using Gradescope; regrading will also be administred using Gradescope.

General Advice:
• Please ask questions in class. There are no stupid questions!
• Come to office hours when you’re stuck. Or just to work on the homework. Or to talk about math, life, or anything else.
• Do not fall behind early. Most of the material in this course builds upon previous lessons.
• Success in mathematics is more about putting in hard work than having natural talent.
• Study by DOING problems rather than passively reading notes

Academic Dishonesty:  Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense at UCSD.  Students caught cheating will face an administrative sanction which may include suspension or expulsion from the university.  It is in your best interest to maintain your academic integrity. (Click here for more information.)

Accommodations:  Students requesting accommodations and services due to a disability for this course need to provide a current Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter issued by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) , prior to eligibility for requests. Receipt of AFAs in advance is necessary for appropriate planning for the provision of reasonable accommodations. OSD Academic Liaisons also need to receive current AFA letters.

Name and Gender Pronouns:   UC San Diego is committed to supporting its students' name and gender preferences. Class rosters provided to your instructor and TAs have students' legal names, but we will strive to honor your request to be addressed using a preferred name or gender pronoun. Please let your instructor and TA know your preferences so that we can make changes to our records. (Certain university records may be beyond our ability to change, however.)

Equity, Inclusion, and Respect:   We are committed to the UC San Diego Principles of Community . "To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to maintain a climate of fairness, cooperation, and professionalism. These principles of community are vital to the success of the University and the well being of its constituents." The principles of community include (but are not limited to): "We affirm each individual's right to dignity and strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by mutual respect for each other." "We reject acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs, and, we will confront and appropriately respond to such acts." "We promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect." "We are committed to promoting and supporting a community where all people can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of abusive or demeaning treatment." Visit the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for more information.

Acknowledgement:   I would like to thank Amir Mohammadi for creating the original version of this syllabus.