MA361 Policy (Fall 2003)

• Instructor: Dr. Avinash Sathaye email: sohum@ms.uky.edu web: www.ms.uky.edu/~sohum
•  Office: 703 POT (Phone 257-8832)
•  Office Hours: MWF 8:00 AM to 8:50 AM or appointment. Also, you may come by any other time and I will help you if I am free.
  I mean this seriously!
•  Textbook: Algebra (Pure and Applied) by Aigli Papantonopoulou.
  
•  Syllabus: I expect to cover chapters 1-4 and 6-9, but some variation is possible, depending on the progress.
  
•  Structure of the course: I will usually announce material to read ahead and problems to think about. You should make every attempt to be prepared.
We expect to be in a computer lab (CB313) as often as needed. We will use the lab as a tool to help with our understanding of the abstract concepts. We shall use the Maple system for mathematical computations. There will also be occasional quizzes, often without warning based on material already covered. Some systematic homework will also be assigned and will be generally due on Fridays.
The computer can be freely used for homework and study, but cannot be used during the quizzes and exams.

• Exams: There will be three exams, two midterms and a final. As described above, there will be periodic quizzes and homework. In addition, active participation in class is an important part of the course.
• Project: I may choose to assign a project to be done in the later part of the semester. If assigned, it will be treated as 20 percent  of the grade for the final exam. The project shall involve research on a related topic and short class presentation of the same. The project is typically done in a group of two or three.
  
• Grades: The three exams shall be worth 100 points each, the homework and quizzes together will be worth 100 points also. Class participation is important and can serve as a makeup for some of the missed homework/quizzes.

The final grade shall be on the usual scale E(0-59), D(60-69), C(70-79), B(80-89), A(90-100).
•  Note For many of you, this is probably the first course with formal proofs. The main goal is to learn how to communicate the mathematical ideas in a precise manner. Learning how to say things is almost as important as learning what to say.

One of the simplest way to success is to know the precise definitions and statements of theorems. Please make an attempt to ask for and retain these all the time.