MTH5100 Algebraic Structures I 2011/12 (Semester B)

Module text

Peter J. Cameron, Introduction to Algebra (Second Edition), Oxford University Press, 2008.

The lectures follow specified sections of the module text quite closely, and I recommend that you buy a copy of this book (make sure you get the Second Edition). This book is also used for the follow-on module MTH6104 Algebraic Structures II. The library has some copies of the module text and also provides this text as an e-book.

• Module text sections covering lectures 1 to 5: 1.13-1.18 and 1.22.
• Module text sections covering lectures 6 to 9: 2.1-2.3.
• Module text sections covering lectures 10 to 13: 2.4-2.5.
• Module text sections covering lectures 14 to 18: 2.6,2.8 (up to and including the First Isomorphism Theorem and its proof).
• Module text sections covering week 8 lectures: 2.8 (from Second Isomorphism Theorem), 2.9.
• Module text sections covering week 9 lectures: 2.10-2.11.
• Module text sections covering week 10 lectures: 2.12,7.9.
• Module text sections covering week 11 lectures: 2.13-2.14.
• Module text sections covering week 12 lectures: 2.15-2.16.

mid-term test test solutions

Revision and final exam information

• There will be an Algebraic Structures I revision lecture in the David Sizer Lecture Theatre on Thursday, 26 April 2012, 14:00-15:00, although you should start your revision well before then. In addition, I will have a limited number of Office Hours in May (before the Algebraic Structures I exam) for students to ask questions. The times for these will be posted on my homepage.
• The 2009/10 and 2010/11 final exams are available below to help with your revision. Please note that due to changes in the syllabus, you may ignore the questions concerning groups. (Of course, if you are resitting this module then your exam will be based on last year's syllabus and will include one or more questions concerning groups.)
• Sample solutions are not provided for these past exams, since it is best to work out the solutions for yourself and to understand the concepts involved. See also your lecture notes and courseworks and their solutions for help. Once you have worked out a solution to an exam question, you should think about how to check it, as this will be important on the final exam. If you have any questions about a solution that you have worked out and checked, I will be very happy to answer these questions during an Office Hour.
• The 2011/12 Algebraic Structures I final exam will have the same rubric and a similar structure to the 2010/11 exam (but of course, will only contain questions on topics covered in 2012). You are responsible for all the material covered in your lecture notes (or the corresponding module text sections), up to and including week 12, as well as all the courseworks and their solutions, including both practice and feedback questions.
• Some questions on the final exam will be similar to coursework questions. There will certainly be definitions asked for on the final exam, which you should be able to reproduce accurately. There will certainly be proofs asked for on the final exam, some of which may be from the lecture notes, and some may be similar to proofs asked for in the courseworks.
• When taking the final exam, please read each question carefully, and answer the question that is actually asked!

Previous examinations

• 2009/10 final exam
• 2010/11 final exam

Coursework

• Coursework 1 Solutions 1
• Coursework 2 Solutions 2
• Coursework 3 Solutions 3
• Coursework 4 Solutions 4
• Coursework 5 Solutions 5
• Coursework 6 Solutions 6
• Coursework 7 Solutions 7
• Coursework 8 Solutions 8
• Coursework 9 Solutions 9

Exercise classes

Starting on Thursday, 9th February, exercise classes for groups A-I and J-P, and all their tutors, are in room Eng 324.

Surname	Time	Place
A-I	Thursday 4-5	Eng 324
J-P	Thursday 4-5	Eng 324
Q-Z	Friday 10-11	Eng 207

Please note

• Students are expected to attend all lectures, and to be quiet during lectures. Mobile phones must be switched OFF in lectures and in exercise classes.
• Exercise classes start in week 2. There are no exercise classes during the consolidation and test week (week 7).
• Use of calculators is not permitted in either the final examination or the mid-term test.

Assessment

• Week-7 mid-term test: 10%
• Final examination: 90%