MA136 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
Lecturer: Richard Lissaman
Term(s): Term 1
Status for Mathematics students: Core for Maths
Commitment: 15 one hour lectures
Assessment: Assignments (15%), Written exam (85%)
Formal registration prerequisites: None
Assumed knowledge: A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Useful background: Some elementary knowledge of matrices, functions, modular arithmetic
Synergies:
Leads To: The following modules have this module listed as assumed knowledge or useful background:
- MA249 Algebra II
- MA251 Algebra I: Advanced Linear Algebra
- MA257 Introduction to Number Theory
- MA3F1 Introduction to Topology
- MA3E1 Groups and Representations
- MA4H4 Geometric Group Theory
Content:
Section 1 Group Theory:
- Motivating examples: numbers, symmetry groups
- Definitions, elementary properties
- Subgroups, including subgroups of $Z$
- Arithmetic modulo n and the group $Z_n$
- Lagrange's Theorem
- Permutation groups, odd and even permutations (proof optional)
- Normal subgroups and quotient groups
Section 2 Ring Theory:
- Definitions: Commutative and non-commutative rings, integral domains, fields
- Examples: $Z, Q, R, C, Z_n$, matrices, polynomials, Gaussian integers
Aims:
To introduce First Year Mathematics students to abstract Algebra, covering Group Theory and Ring Theory.
Objectives:
By the end of the module students should be able to understand:
- the abstract definition of a group, and be familiar with the basic types of examples, including numbers, symmetry groups and groups of permutations and matrices.
- what subgroups are, and be familiar with the proof of Lagrange’s Theorem.
- the definition of various types of ring, and be familiar with a number of examples, including numbers, polynomials, and matrices.
- unit groups of rings, and be able to calculate the unit groups of the integers modulo n.
Books:
Any library book with Abstract Algebra in the title would be useful.
Additional Resources
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