The homework assignments can be found on the lectures page.
Galois theory is the most beautiful topic in the undergraduate algebra curriculum.
The original purpose of the theory, as constructed by Galois, was to answer questions about the solvability
of polynomials by radicals, but the ideas introduced are much more important than the problem they solve, and Galois
theory is the cornerstone of modern number theory.
Historically the ideas of Galois
marked the birth of abstract algebra, and show the power of abstraction to clarify and illuminate.
The subject is also a wonderful demonstration of the fact that deep ideas may be contained in simple statements.
This course is an introduction to Galois theory, intended for students interested in pure mathematics.
We will focus on a careful development of the main theorems, their
applications to classical mathematical problems, and the role of Galois theory in modern mathematics.
| Instructor: Mike Roth | |
| Office Hours: TBA | |
| Textbook: Galois Theory by Ian Stewart (4th edition). | |
| Classes (slot 2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mon. 9:30–10:30 | Wed. 8:30–9:30 | Thurs. 10:30–11:30 |
| All classes are in Jeff 115. |
| Homework | 50% | |
| Final | 50% | (Wednesday April 6, 2016 — Wednesday, April 13, 2016) |
The final exam will be take-home; there is no mid-term exam.
There are twelve homework assignments during the semester. The lowest two of these twelve grades will be dropped when computing the homework grade for the course.