Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Instructor Name: Michael Jablonski
Official Title: Professor of Mathematics
Department: Mathematics
Office Hours: TR, 11am - noon on Zoom and by appointment via Calendly
Phone: n/a
Email: mjablonski@math.ou.edu
Live Session: MWF 11:00 - 11:50am (Central)
Zoom link: https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/91035108114?pwd=NHdPSnBiYWd0RWhQc2IrNnR5cjJaUT09
Meeting ID: 910 3510 8114
Password: 30587060
Course Details
This is a first semester course in Abstract Algebra. Brief description from the course catalog:
Concepts from set theory; the system of natural numbers, extension from the natural numbers to the integers; semigroups and groups; rings, integral domain and fields. (F, Sp)
More broadly, my goals for you include: learning to read a theorem, understand what it says, and know how/when to apply the theorem; be able to explain why theorems are/should be true; explore and experiment with the material, asking how/why questions.
Course Prerequisites
Prerequisite: MATH 3333 and MATH 2513, or permission of instructor.
I plan to incorporate an experimental component to the course where we use computer algebra systems. No prior knowledge is expected, but basic experience with programming will be helpful.
Course Materials
We will use a "free" text, Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications by Judson. You can download a copy here http://abstract.ups.edu.
This text is one of many that have been vetted and approved by the American Institute of Mathematics. See here https://aimath.org/textbooks/approved-textbooks/. While the books do not cost money, some authors ask that people who use and gain from the text consider paying in the form of giving back to their community, sharing their gifts and expertise with others. I hope you will reflect on this interesting, and perhaps unusual, approach to thinking about cost and value.
Grades
There will be weekly homework, regular quizzes, 3 mid-semester exams, and a final exam. One of the mid-semester exams can be substituted for a project if we can find a topic that you like and we agree on.
Breakdown
Your final grade will be weighted as follows:
Homework 20%
Quizzes and participation 20%
Mid-term and final exams 15% each
Homeworks are not intended to hurt your grade. I strongly encourage students to come to office hours to receive as much help as is needed to do well on the homeworks, and the course as a whole. In addition to working with me in office hours, you should consider working with classmates and form small study groups. However, keep in mind that all submitted work must be your own.
Note, in-class exams will be proctored on Zoom. Your video must be on and Zoom will be recording.
Exam Dates
Exam 1: 9/23
Exam 2: 10/21
Exam 3: 11/18
Final Exam: 12/16, 8-10am
Scale
Your final grade will follow the scale we all learned in grade school: A=90+, B=80+, C=70+, D=60+, F=59-.
Course Policies
Communication
We will meet regularly on Zoom and office hours will be held on Zoom. If and when possible, I ask that everyone turn their video on during Zoom meetings so that we can interact more fully.
Please note, lectures on Zoom are the copyright of the professor and cannot be recorded without prior, written permission. Note, recording lectures also poses potential problems with violating other students' rights to privacy which are legally protected. As an alternative, I will record small video segments as needed for the class and/or make myself available in office hours to help with any questions you have.
The best way to reach me is by email. You can expect a reply within 24 hours during the work work (Monday - Friday). I will also use email to contact you. I encourage you to check email at least once a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. (Even further, I encourage you to not check it too much so that it doesn't consume your time!)
Perhaps the most important point I can make is that our online class will be new for all of us. We should all be patient with each other as we navigate a new normal. There will be new challenges, but surely new opportunities, as well, that we can take advantage of.
Late Policy
As a rule, I do not accept late assignments as it disrupts the grading process for everyone else. That said, I will consider it in unusual circumstances.
Attendance and make-up exams
Students are expected to attend every lecture. If you miss a lecture, then you should contact a classmate for a copy of their notes and any assigned homework. Make-up exams are very rarely given. If there is a reasonable and verifiable excuse, it will be considered.
Academic misconduct
All cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity for investigation under the University’s Academic Misconduct Code. The penalties can be quite severe. If, at some point, you have made a bad decision, know that classmates are engaging in misconduct, or find yourself in an ambiguous or uncomfortable situation, my advice is to come talk to me ASAP.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalogue.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.