MATH3711: Higher Algebra

- Mid-term exam (25%)
- Assignment (15%)
- Exam (60%)

The official pre-requisite is 12 UOC of Level 2 Mathematics with an average mark of at least 70, including MATH2601 or MATH2501 (CR).

This is your standard abstract algebra course. The course is split primarily into three parts: group theory, ring theory, and field theory. The latter two are combined as one since they play very similar roles. For the bulk of the course, you will be discussing group theory, properties of groups, and important theorems that surround them. You will have had brief stints with groups in MATH2601 and MATH2701, so the properties of groups should be no surprise to you. The difficulty of the course begins to ramp up as you dive deeper into these theorems. The second half of the course talks about ring and field theory, two more important algebraic structures that are built from the study of groups.
I went into the course thinking this would be quite dry but actually really ended up enjoying it. The course content was interesting enough to keep me from falling asleep at 9am lectures. The pacing of the course is quite fast so it's in your best interest to keep up to date to prevent last minute cramming. But it's a course worth doing if you enjoyed the group theory component in MATH2601 (not like you have a choice if you choose to major in pure anyways).

- 2 x 2 hour live lecture.
- 1 x 1 hour tutorial.

3.5/5

Yes.

- Lecturer: Dr. Mircea Voineagu

Lecture slides are sufficient.

4/5

None prescribed.

Recommended textbooks:
Artin, Algebra (I used this textbook and it was pretty alright. Nothing too spectacular.)
Armstrong, Groups and Symmetry
Rotman, A first course in abstract algebra
Herstein, Topics in Algebra
Jacobson, Basic Algebra I
Stillwell, Elements of Algebra
Lang, Algebra
Lederman, Weir, An Introduction to Group Theory

2021 Term 1

89 (HD).

Prerequisites:

I generally prefer analysis over algebra, but this course was actually really interesting. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it weren't examinable, as the timed assessments kind of sapped the joy out of doing the harder questions, but the course content itself was fun. It's easy to fall behind, since the pace of the course is quite fast, so I'd recommend keeping on top of things if you don't want to be cramming before the exam, and a few of the concepts are conceptually challenging, so having the lecturer explain them helped solidify my understanding. The lecture notes are mostly sufficient, but going to the lectures is recommended regardless.

2x 2hr, 1x 1hr Lecture (1hr lecture was basically a tutorial)

4.5/5

No.

Dr. Mircea Voineagu

Lecture notes available online. Past final exams provided, some with solutions. Sample midterm provided with solutions. Problem sets with no solutions uploaded online.

4/5

Note: I don't use textbooks and can't comment on their usefulness. None prescribed, but many references. See course outline for a list.

2019 T1

95 HD