Note: This syllabus is correct as of the beginning of classes (2/1/21), but it may be updated during the semester if necessary in response to changing conditions.
Important COVID-19 Modifications: Though this will operate as a normal "in-person" class, due to the novel coronavirus I will fully accommodate any and all students that, for any reason, choose to work remotely. It will be possible to participate in classes, as well as complete, turn in, and receive feedback on all work without being physically in the classroom. Students who do this will not be viewed, treated, or graded differently whatsoever.
Mask and Social Distancing Policy: Students must wear a mask throughout the entire time they are physically in the classroom. This means no eating or drinking in the classroom. Masks must fit properly and cover both the nose and mouth. If a student is unable to wear a mask for any reason, he or she should use the online accommodations being provided and not attend in-person. Students and the instructor should all maintain at least 6 feet of separation before, during, and after class while leaving. Failure to comply with the mask policy and/or social distancing policy may result in a lower course grade and/or being reported to the Dean.
Virtual Instruction Option: All students enrolled in this course may choose to attend it remotely, even if they have not registered with the university as a Remote Student. So long as they follow the other protocols described here, students may freely switch between in-person/remote learning in this course. Though I am already giving you permission to work remotely, please communicate with me and keep me updated about your situation. I want to make sure students don't disappear, and I want to help anyone experiencing health (or other) problems to avoid falling too far behind.
For those who exercise their right to attend class virtually, I will provide a robust virtual classroom experience. Consistent with the technology provided by the University, I will make class available contemporaneously and will include you in classroom participation. To the best of my ability, I will ensure that your experience is positive and that you are integrated fully into the academic experience. You are very welcome to give me feedback during the semester on how I can enhance your learning experience. I will live-stream all lectures on Zoom (links posted in Blackboard). Students who attend virtually are still expected to participate and must have their camera turned on. I will also post recordings and materials from the lectures for students who need to view them later. I will only post the "Shared Screen" video, which will not contain any videos of students. All assignments will be submitted electronically, regardless of whether you participate remotely or in-person.
Illness: You must stay home if you are feeling at all ill, have tested positive for COVID-19, or believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19. I will not penalize you in any way for being cautious. In an ordinary year, students might choose to come into the classroom when they feel like they have a cold coming on. This year is different, and I am trusting you to be vigilant, be cautious, and to stay home. In such a case, you can still participate fully through the remote instruction option. Note that this paragraph applies to me too as the Instructor. I will not come to campus if I am feeling at all sick, even if I think it's only a minor cold. Instead, I will send an email to the entire class with instructions/information on how to proceed. Should you need, you can contact the department chair Dr. Rothman (Sheldon.Rothman@liu.edu), or the Dean of Liberal Arts & Science Dr. Bowditch (Nathaniel.Bowditch@liu.edu).
Class Time: Tuesday and Thursday 2:00p - 3:20p, Humanities 125.
Instructor: Dr. Corbett Redden. Corbett.Redden [att] liu.edu. Phone 516-299-3487.
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30p - 1:50p, or by appointment. Office hours will be held on Zoom at the link posted in Blackboard. If you plan to attend Office Hours, please tell me beforehand. I won't be hanging out in an empty Zoom session if no one is coming.
Course webpage: http://myweb.liu.edu/~dredden/71s21/ and also Blackboard
Suggested Textbooks:
Description from Catalog: This course covers the real and complex number systems, integral domains, groups, rings, and fields. Prerequisite of MTH 20 or the permission of the department is required. 3 Credits.
Grading Scheme:
| Homework | 30% |
| Tests | 40% |
| Final Exam/Presentation | 30% |
Homework: I will regularly assign homework problems. There will be five or six written homework assignments that you must turn in. Assignments will have a firm due date, but each student will be permitted to turn in up to 2 of them late (within reason) without penalty. I will grade these assignments, provide feedback, and return them to you. Your homework grade will be based solely on these six assignments. I will also assign additional homework problems that I will not collect. You should still complete these problems, and I may ask you about them (see below), but I will not explicitly grade them.
While you may work with other students on homework, the writing and final document you turn in must be entirely your own. Your homework should be grammatically and mathematically correct. It should be written clearly and neatly as a final draft, not a hastily done rough draft. I may decide to require that some assignments be typed; if this happens, I will spend time teaching students to use LaTeX.
Tests: There will be two (maybe three) tests during the semester. The exact dates and details have not yet been determined, but they will be announced at least 1.5 weeks ahead of time. They will most likely be timed take-home tests.
Final Exam/Presentation: There will be either a Final Exam or a Final Presentation (which may take the form of an oral exam) at the end of the semester. Details to be announced later in the semester.
Attendance: While I will not keep formal attendance records, I know when students regularly attend/participate and which ones don't. Your final grade is far more likely to receive a beneficial bump if you regularly attend and participate (in-person or remote).
Help: Help is available from a number of places and people. You are welcome to see Prof. Redden before/after class, in office hours, by appointment, or ask short questions via email. In prior semesters, there was free tutoring available in the Math-Lab, located in PH 201, with no appointment necessary; I am unsure whether this will be available in Spring '21. Finally, you are encouraged to work with others on homework. Explaining concepts and techniques to fellow classmates is an excellent way for you to better understand them yourself.
Linked Course: This course will be taught concurrently with MTH 513: Introduction to Abstract Algebra. Though the lectures will be same, I will make some distinctions within assignments and may require additional work for those enrolled in MTH 513.
Students with Disabilities: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and to facilitate learning for all students, I will make accommodations for students with disabilities. It is necessary for those students to inform me of these accommodations by the end of the second week of classes. Please contact the Academic Resource Center (299-2937) so that steps can be taken to develop an appropriate educational plan. If you are a student with a documented disability, medical condition, or think you may have a disability, and will need accommodations, academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, or other services, please contact Marie Fatscher in Disability Support Services (Post Hall, Lower Level, C10) at 516-299-3057 or marie.fatscher@liu.edu to request services, accommodations or for additional information. Additional information is also available on the DSS website: www.liu.edu/post/dss
Technology: If you have problems, please contact IT (Library 236A, M-Th 8am-8pm and F 9am-5pm; it@liu.edu; 516-299-3300). You can access online tutorials for Blackboard as needed: http://www.liu.edu/Information-Technology/Info-Tech/Tutorials (Step by Step Guides and Videos)