General Information
Instructor: Dr. Joseph Hundley
Office: Neckers A255
Office Hours: MW 12-2 and Th 1-3.
E-mail: jhundley@math.siu.edu
Textbook:  A First Course in Abstract Algebra, by John B. Fraleigh

Catalog Data
A detailed study of polynomial equations in one variable. Solvable groups and the Galois theory of field extensions are developed and applied to extensions of the quadratic formula, proving the impossibility of trisecting an angle with only a straight-edge and a compass, and to the basic facts about finite fields as needed in coding theory and computer science. Prerequisite: 319 or consent of instructor.

Exams
Two in-class examinations will be given. These will occur in approximately the fifth and tenth weeks. The precise date will be fixed and announced during class several days in advance of the day of the exam.

NOTE: If you miss an exam without an official excuse (such as illness or official university business), then you will be allowed to take a makeup exam, but with an automatic 25% deduction from the grade. To avoid this deduction, you must notify me with your official excuse before the date and time of the exam. This notification may be performed in person, via e-mail, or by telephone.

Final Exam
The final examination in the course will be comprehensive.  For information on date and time, check the Mathematics Department website later in the semester. Do not make plans to leave the university before the end of this week.  Travel plans do not constitute an official university excuse for missing an examination or for obtaining a conflict or makeup examination.  Hence, the above note regarding a 25% deduction will be enforced in the event that a student's travel plans conflict with the university's designated final examination period for this course.

Problem Sets
There will be weekly problem sets.  Each student's two lowest scores will be dropped.  No late homework will be accepted.

Grade Assignment Your Course Average will be computed with the following breakdown:
Problem Sets, 20%,
Each midterm is 20%,
And the final is 40%.

Typically, the standard 90/80/70/60 grade scale does not apply well to advanced courses such as 419. Certainly, anyone who has a 90% average will receive an A, etc. Most likely the cut-off for A will be much lower. After each of the midterms, I will try to give you an idea of what the scale for that exam looks like.