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Module MA3411: Abstract algebra I
- Credit weighting (ECTS)
-
5 credits
- Semester/term taught
-
Michaelmas term 2013-14
- Contact Hours
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11 weeks, 3 lectures including tutorials per week
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- Lecturer
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Prof. David Wilkins
- Learning Outcomes
- On successful completion of this module, students will be able to
- Justify with reasoned logical argument basic properties
of polynomial rings and finite field extensions.
- Specify and justify with reasoned logical argument aspects
of the relationships between polynomials with coefficients
in some ground field, finite extensions of that ground field,
and the groups of automorphisms of those field extensions.
- Determine the Galois groups of appropriately-chosen polynomials
of low degree.
- Module Content
- The module will cover the following topics:
- Basic principles of group theory.
- Basic principles of ring theory.
- Basic properties of polynomial rings with coefficients
in a field. Gauss's Lemma concerning products of
primitive polynomials. Eisenstein's irreducibility criterion
for polynomials.
- Basic properties of field extensions.
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- The Tower Law.
- Basic properties of algebraic extensions. Proof that the
degree of a simple algebraic extension is equal to the degree
of the minimum polynomial of the adjoined element generating
the extension.
- Solvability and Insolvability of Ruler and Compass
Constructions.
- Splitting fields. Existence and isomorphism theorems
for splitting fields. Normal extensions. Separability.
Basic properties of finite fields. The Primitive Element Theorem.
The Galois Group of a finite Field Extension.
The Galois Correspondence.
- Procedures for determining the roots of quadratic, cubic
and quartic polynomials from the coefficients of such polynomials.
- Galois groups of polynomials of low degree.
- The class equation of a finite group. Cauchy's theorem
concerning the existence of elements of prime order in
finite groups. Simple groups. Solvable groups.
- Galois's Theorem concerning the solvability of
polynomial equations. A quintic polynomial that is not
solvable by radicals.
Lecture notes, problems, worked solutions to selected past
examination questions and further information relevant
to the module are available from the module webpage at
http://www.maths.tcd.ie/~dwilkins/Courses/MA3411/.
- Module Prerequisite
-
Introduction to Group Theory (MA1214), or some equivalent module
providing an introduction to Abstract Algebra. Also Fields, Rings
and Modules (MA2215) is recommended, but not essential.
- Assessment Detail
-
This module will be examined
in a 2-hour examination in Trinity term.
There is no continuous assessment.