Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Wim Ruitenburg's Fall 2025 MATH/SSC 4/5120-101. Syllabus
Last updated: 5 October 2025
Comments and suggestions: Email wim.ruitenburg@marquette.edu
OBJECTIVES:
(0) Those mentioned in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
(1) Be able to define algebraic structures, state theorems about algebraic
structures, prove the theorems, find examples.
(2) Learn good ways of how one develops basic aspects of this discipline.
(3) Discover the usefulness of abstract algebra in the `real' world.
CLASS PLACE AND TIME: Cudahy Hall CU 120. MWF 9
INSTRUCTOR: Wim Ruitenburg
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment. Office CU 384
PREREQUISITES 4120: MATH 2350 or MATH 2100
BOOK: Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications. Author: Judson.
Electronic version of 2024 freely downloadable, we have a copy here at
Judson.
Available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
A more detailed list of the part of the book that we focus on (but never finish
in this semester):
Chapters 1-6.
Chapters 9-11.
Chapters 14-15.
Early on we consider a very small part (about pages 25 and 26) of Chapter 2 of
the book Burris and Sankappanavar.
Occasionally we add extra notes, with links to be inserted here.
Examples:
A GCD property.
Group axioms plus.
The complex plane.
Complex exponentiation.
GRADES will be determined by performance on exams and on homework
problems.
There will be three exams: EX1, EX2, and EX3.
Each exam is worth 10 points.
There will be homework problems worth extra points, some smaller and
some bigger.
All homework combined is estimated to be worth at least 20 points.
For MSSC 5120 students there are additional and extended versions of
the homework, with directions towards universal algebra and proofs.
In case of inclement weather during finals week, the final EX3 will be
canceled and grades calculated on the basis of the coursework the student has
completed up to the cancellation.
Points to grade conversion:
The following are minimum guarantees:
Points
Grade
47-50
A
44-46
A-
41-43
B+
38-40
B
35-37
B-
32-34
C+
29-31
C
26-28
C-
23-25
D+
20-22
D
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
You are expected to attend all classes for their full periods.
MAKEUP OF MISSED WORK:
Makeup of missed work that contributes to your final grade for reasons of
absence not automatically recognized by Marquette University:
My policy is NO, but then again I tend to give everybody a chance to make up
work once.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: See the undergraduate bulletin.