18.703 - Modern Algebra (Spring 2010)


Instructor: Victor Kac

Office: Room 2-178

Email: kac@math.mit.edu

Lectures: T R 1:00 - 2:30 in 4-159


COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on traditional algebra topics that have found greatest application in science and engineering as well as in mathematics: group theory, emphasizing finite groups; ring theory, including ideals and unique factorization in polynomial and Euclidean rings; field theory, including properties and applications of finite fields. 18.700 and 18.703 together form a standard algebra sequence.

Prerequisites: Calculus II (GIR)

Text Book: A First Course in Abstract Algebra, J.B. Fraleigh, 7th edition, 2003 Pearson Education, Inc.

 

Final grade: 50% homework; 50% tests; no final exam