| Section 1 | Instructor:
|
Phone:
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| T Th 9:00 - 10:20 am |
Office Hours:
and by appointment |
E-mail:
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| 112 Lockett Hall | Office:
|
URL: |
Text:
Modern Algebra and Discrete Structures, by Robert F. Lax.
Errata sheet at:
www.math.lsu.edu/~lax/errata.pdf
We will cover (portions of) Chapters 1-5, and possibly some supplemental material.
Prerequisites: MATH 2085 (Linear Algebra).
Catalog Description: Finite algebraic structures relevant to computers: groups, graphs, groups and computer design, group codes, semigroups, finite-state machines.
Exams:
There will be two in-class exams, each worth 100 points.
The exams will tentatively take place in the weeks of
February 17 February 24 and March 24.
Exact exam dates will be
announced in class. No make-up exams,
except in extreme cases. If you must miss
an exam, I will expect you to notify me
before the exam takes place.
Homework:
Homework assignments and any supplemental materials will be
announced in class and posted on the course web page.
Selected homework problems
will be collected and graded. In total, the homework grade will be worth the same as a
single in-class exam (100 points).
While only certain homework problems will be collected, successful completion of all assigned homework will benefit performance on exams, as (modifications of) homework problems will likely appear on exams.
Final: There will be a comprehensive final exam worth 150 points. The final exam is scheduled for Friday May 9, 7:30 - 9:30 am.
Grade: Your course grade will be based on the 450 possible points outlined above. I may curve course grades. In any case, 90-100% is assured an A, 80-89% a B, and so on.
Notes:
In general, to stay on top of the material, it is important that you attend
class, read the text, and do the homework regularly.
Calculators, computers, books, notes, etc.
may not be used on the in-class
exams or the final exam unless otherwise noted.
Bear in mind that you are taking this course under
the guidelines of the
Code of Student Conduct.
Important Dates:
January 24 is the last day to drop;
January 27 is the last day to add;
April 4 is the last day to withdraw;
Martin Luther King Day is January 20; Mardis Gras is March 2-4;
Spring Break is April 14-20.