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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
MATH2025 Algebraic Structures 2
10 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Prof R. Marsh
Email: R.J.Marsh@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2014/15
Pre-requisites
| MATH2020 | Algebraic Structures 1 |
This module is mutually exclusive with
| MATH2033 | Rings, Polynomials and Fields |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
A ring is an algebraic system in which addition, subtraction and multiplication may be performed. Integers, polynomials and matrices all provide examples of rings, as do the rational, real and complex numbers, so this notion generalizes an important range of mathematical structures. They are studied in this module.One topic studied is the generalization to some other rings of the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, that every positive integer can be written in a unique way as a product of primes. This holds for polynomials in a single variable over the rational numbers, but not over the integers. Another topic is Kronecker's Theorem, showing that every non-constant polynomial with coefficients in a field has a root in some possibly larger field. For example, every such polynomial over the rational numbers has a root in the complex numbers. These techniques also allow one to study finite fields, which play a fundamental role in modern communications.The module also covers additional topics in linear algebra, including Jordan normal form for complex matrices up to similarity.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:a) accurately reproduce appropriate definitions;
b) state the basic results about rings and fields, and reproduce short proofs;
c) identify subrings, ideals and units in the main examples of rings;
d) use the First Isomorphism Theorem to exhibit isomorphisms between rings;
e) demonstrate understanding of unique factorisation, or the lack of it;
f) use standard tests to determine the irreducibility of polynomials, and compute minimal polynomials of algebraic elements in extension fields.
g) determine the minimal polynomial and Jordan normal form of a matrix.
Syllabus
1. Definitions, basic properties and examples of rings; subrings; homomorphisms and isomorphisms, ideals, factor rings and the First Isomorphism Theorem; units; integral domains, fields and the characteristic of a field.
2. Principal Ideal Domains and examples; greatest common divisors; irreducible elements; unique factorization property; the factor ring of a Principal Ideal Domain by an irreducible element is a field.
3. Tests for irreducibility of polynomials using the existence of roots, the Rational Root Test and Eisenstein's Criterion; Gauss's Lemma.
4. Algebraic elements in field extensions and minimal polynomials; Kronecker's Theorem; finite fields, their construction via factor rings of polynomial rings, and their number of elements.
5. The Cayley-Hamilton Theorem; the generalized eigenspace decomposition; the minimal polynomial for a matrix; Jordan normal form.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Workshop | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Lecture | 22 | 1.00 | 22.00 |
| Private study hours | 68.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Studying and revising of course material.Completing of assignments and assessments.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Written, assessed work throughout the semester with feedback to students.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Written Work | * | 15.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 15.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr | 85.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 85.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 04/03/2015
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