Number Theory, MATH 455/655, Fall 2007
This is the home page and first day handout for MAT 455/655, meeting
MW from 2:30 -- 3:45 in CBC-C114. My name is Dr.
Arthur Baragar, my office is CBC-B 308, and I can be reached
at 895-0378. Important information announced in class will also be
posted on WebCampus.
The prerequisite for this course is MATH 330 (linear algebra).
Syllabus: This course is expected to cover the following topics
in number theory:
- Chapters 1 -- 4: Introduction.
- Chapters 5 -- 7: The Euclidean algorithm.
- Chapter 8 -- 11: Modular arithmetic.
- Chapter 12 -- 15: Primes.
- Chapter 16 -- 18: RSA (modern cryptography).
- Chapter 19: Better composite tests.
- Chapters 28 -- 32: Fermat's Last Theorem, Pell's equation,
Diophantine approximation.
- Chapters 43 -- 48: A very quick introduction to elliptic curves.
Text: A Friendly Introduction
to Number Theory, third edition, published by Prentice Hall. The
website for this text is at http://www.math.brown.edu/~jhs/frint.html.
Grading Scheme: This is the grading scheme for this course:
- Homework: 10%.
- Exam one, Wednesday, October 3rd: 17%.
- Exam two, Wednesday, October 31st: 17%.
- Exam three, Wednesday, November 28th: 16%.
- Final, Monday, December 12th, 3:10 pm -- 5:10 pm: 30%.
*** Corrected ***
- Uncommitted points: 10%
Exams one and two will have an in class component and a take home
component. Exam three is a take home exam. The take home components
are due the following Monday at the beginning of class. The
grading scheme for students taking MAT 655 will be slightly different.
There is no preset corelation between numerical grades and letter grades.
A letter grade (without + or -), a report card, if you like, will be posted
on WebCampus after every exam. The distribution of
the "Uncommitted points" will be described in class. They are to allow flexibility
in the grading scheme, and may go to, for example, special projects.
Office Hours: If you need to see me, please look for me during the
office hours posted below, or please make an appointment. Office hours begin
the second week of classes.
- Monday and Wednesday, 11:15 am -- noon, 1:00 pm -- 1:45 pm,
*** Revised ***
- ... or by appointment.
The morning office hour immediately follows my MATH 126 class, and is primarily
intended for those students, though you are welcome to show up at that time
too. However, I may be helping students in our classroom, rather
than in my office, so do not be surprised if I show up late. A good
time to ask quick questions is in our classroom between 3:45 and 4:00.
Other Important Dates: (See the UNLV
calendar for more details.)
- August 27: Instruction and late registration begin.
- August 31: Final date for late registration, course additions,
changes, or fee payment (with late penalty). Last day to inform
me of absences due to religious holidays. Last day to drop a
course without it showing up on transcripts.
- September 3: Labor Day recess.
- October 26: Nevada Day recess (Friday).
- November 2: Final date to drop or withdraw from classes
(except short courses).
- November 12: Veterans' Day recess (Monday).
- November 22: Thanksgiving.
- December 3 -- 8: Study Week.
- December 10 --15: Final examinations.
"If you have a documented disability that requires
assistance, you will need to contact Disability Services (DS) for coordination
in your academic accommodations. DS is located within the Learning Enhancement
Services (LES), in the Reynolds Student Services Center (SSC), Room 137.
The DS phone number is 702-895-0866, TDD 895-0652." Their
website is at http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.
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and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright
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UNLV Home Page * Arthur Baragar's Home Page
URL: http://www.nevada.edu/~baragar/courses/MATH455f07.html
e-mail: baragar@unlv.nevada.edu