Instructor:
Herbert B. Enderton
hbe@math.ucla.edu
Office MS 7905. Office hours M-W-Th, 3-4.
Our
"virtual office hours"
for this class are available 24/7.
Teaching Assistant:
Clint Givens
cgivens@math.ucla.edu
Office MS 2963. Office hours Tuesday 11-12 and 4-5.
Topics: The two main branches of mathematics are, roughly speaking, algebra and analysis. In this course, we study one of them. See also the Mathematics Department's description of this course, and their course outline (which is based on an earlier edition of the textbook).
Enrollment: If this course fills up, try to get on the waiting list.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 115A, which is relevant both because it studies abstract structures of a certain kind (namely, vector spaces), and because it emphasizes rigorous proofs. In Math 117, we also study abstract structures (rings and fields), and we also emphasize proofs. One cannot receive credit for both Math 117 and Math 110A.
Textbook: A Concrete Introduction to Higher Algebra, third edition, by Lindsay Childs. Available at the ASUCLA bookstore and from the usual sources such as Amazon.
Homework: Yes! Although the homework problem sets account for only a small part of the course grade, you should definitely do them, in order to master the material. Besides, every little bit helps, especially if the tests do not all go well. Late homework will normally not be graded.
Tests: There will be a first midterm exam on Friday, April 24, and a second midterm on Friday, May 22. (Note that the second midterm is on the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend.) The final exam is on Tuesday, June 9, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. (exam code 4). Mark these dates on your calendar.
Grading: The final exam constitutes a large part of the grade. The two midterms together constitute another large part. The homework accounts for a small part. ("Large" means 40-50%. "Small" means no more than 10%.) To get an Incomplete grade, you must be doing passing work when struck by unforeseen external disaster.