MATHS 320 : Algebraic Structures
Science
2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course is intended for students who have enjoyed the examples of algebraic structures presented in MATHS 254/255, 253 and/or MATHS 328, and who are interested in a unified treatment of many different mathematical structures. The main focus of the course is on the fundamental algebraic structures of groups, rings and fields. The abstract descriptions are accompanied by numerous concrete examples. Emphasis is placed on the contexts in which basic structures occur, methods by which they can be modelled and analysed, and their diverse applications. This course is recommended for those planning graduate study in pure mathematics. A student completing this course will have a basic knowledge of the fundamental of algebraic systems, and be able to construct simple proofs in an algebraic setting and appreciate the strength the strength of abstract algebraic methods.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Display basic knowledge of fundamental algebraic systems: groups, rings and fields and their properties by solving relevant questions and examples (Capability 1 and 2)
- Display ability to analyse and answer questions, through examples and methods (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Demonstrate understanding of connections with other disciplines and real world applications by the use of relevant examples (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Demonstrate understanding of the nature of proof and precision in mathematics, and the ability to present arguments both formally and informally in written form (Capability 2, 4 and 5)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorials | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 25% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 45% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
| Tutorials | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
A minimum mark of 35% must be obtained in the final exam to pass the course
Key Topics
Week 2: Subgroups (including cyclic subgroups)
Week 3: Cyclic groups; Permutation groups;
Week 4: Group isomorphisms; Direct products; Inner products; Cosets;
Week 5: Lagrange’s Theorem; Orbite-Stabiliser Theorem; Burnside's Theorem; Normal subgroups and factor groups
Week 6: Group homomorphisms; Finite abelian groups; The Cauchy theorem;
Week 7: Rings and integral domains
Week 8: Ideals, factor rings and ring homomorphisms
Week 9: Polynomial rings and factorisation
Week 10: Vector spaces (including extension fields)
Week 11: Field extensions (including algebraic extensions)
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect [36] hours of lectures, a [11] hour tutorial, [36] hours of reading and thinking about the content and [67] hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is [expected] at scheduled activities including [tutorials] to [receive credit for] components of the course. However it will be available for remote students with special circumstances (for example those outside New Zealand).
Lectures will be available as recordings, however students should be aware that it is not always possible to record material written on the whiteboards. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is [required] for the [test] at the COVID alert level 1 and the test is online at levels 2, 3, 4.
The exam in 2021 is online.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a weekly timetable delivery.
Learning Resources
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Level 1: Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.