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Course Overview\cr
65-4962-01 \& 66-4961-01 Computational Abstract Algebra\cr
T R 2:00pm--3:20pm, Amos Eaton Bldg.\ 215\cr
Spring 1990\cr}}\hfill}
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Instructor:&{\sc Erich Kaltofen}\cr
&Amos Eaton 110,  Tel: 276-6907\cr
&Personal E-mail: {\tt kaltofen@turing.cs.rpi.edu}\cr
&Office hours: Monday 2pm--4pm\cr
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Teaching Assistant:&{\sc John Micheal Wiley}\cr
&Amos Eaton 117, Tel: 276-8638\cr
&Personal E-mail: {\tt wileyjm@turing.cs.rpi.edu}\cr
&Office hours: M 8:30--10am, R 9--10:30am\cr
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Textbook~1:&``Elements in Algebra and Algebraic Computation''\cr
&{\sc John Lipson}\cr
&Addison Wesley, 1981\cr
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Textbook~2:&``Mathematica A System for Doing Mathematics''\cr
&{\sc Stephen Wolfram}\cr
&Addison Wesley, 1988\cr}
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{\bf General remarks:}
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This course is an experimental course supported in part by an
educational grant from the National Science Foundation (J.M.'s
teaching assistantship). The main objective of the course is
to use computers in the teaching of abstract but
constructive algebra, similar to
the use of computers in the teaching of calculus.
\par
This course will include some usage of computers, namely
the use of the Mathematica or Maple systems.
However, I will attempt not to let programming get into the
way of the mathematics this course is about.
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{\bf Grading policy:}
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Your final grade will be determined from homeworks, done in
part on a computer, and from exams. There will be approximately
10~homework assignments, amounting to 50\% of your grade,
and two mid-sememster quizzes, each counting 12.5\% of your
grade, as well as a final examination, counting 25\% of your grade.
\medskip\noindent
{\bf Late submission policy and submission of similar homeworks:}
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According to p.\ 67 of the Student Handbook, I have to outline my
``standards on academic dishonesty.''
\par\noindent\hangindent=\parindent\hangafter=1
{\it Collaboration on homeworks:}
It is certainly in the spirit of an educational institute to have
open discussions about assignments. However, I expect everyone to
be his/her own writer. What this means is that the writeups or
programs are to be distinct in their wording or form.
\par\noindent\hangindent=\parindent\hangafter=1
{\it Late submissions:}
In order to get any mark on your homework, you must submit
{\it something}
by deadline.  However, you can continue working on your homework
and submit an improvement as soon as possible.  In general, we then will give you
some credit for the extra work, possibly ignoring the earier submission.
\par\noindent\hangindent=\parindent\hangafter=1
{\it Alleged cheating on homeworks and exams:}
I will not decide any penalty myself, but
refer all such cases to the proper procedure (Student handbook,
p.\ 67).
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&\vtop{\hsize=9cm\tolerance=2000\noindent#\smallskip}&#\hfill\tabskip=0pt\cr
\multispan3\hfill{\bf Course Summary*}\hfill\cr
\hfill{\sl Date}&\hbox to \hsize{\hfill{\sl Topics}\hfill}&\hfill{\sl Reading}\cr
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\noalign{\vskip 4pt}
January&The integers,
greatest common divisor computation,
finite rings, integer factorization,
applications to cryptography.&L II, VII\cr
February&Linear systems over the rational numbers and the integers,
Hermite normal forms;
sparse systems and coding theory, the Berlekamp/Massey algorithm.&
Handouts\cr
2/27/1990&First mid-sememster quiz&\cr
March&Polynomial arithmetic, root finding; Gr\"obner basis.&
Handouts\cr
3/13, 3/15&Spring break&\cr
3/29/1990&Second mid-sememster quiz&\cr
April&Selected topics: diophantine approximation,
polynomial factorization, geometry theorem proving.&
Handouts\cr
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\multispan3 *See also the outline in the proposal.\hfill\cr
}}$$
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Welcome back!\cr
Good luck for this semester!\cr}}
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