Outline

Overview

Algebra is one of the broadest fields of mathematics, underlying most aspects of mathematics. It is sometimes considered the mathematics of symmetry or the language of mathematics. In its most general description, algebra includes number theory, algebraic geometry and the classical study of algebraic structures such as rings and groups as well as their representations. Advanced algebra intersects other fields of modern mathematics, for instance via algebraic topology, homological algebra and categorical representation theory; and modern physics, via Lie groups and Lie algebras. You will learn about fundamental concepts of a branch of advanced algebra and its role in modern mathematics and its applications. You will develop problem-solving skills using algebraic techniques applied to diverse situations. Learning an area of pure mathematics means building a mental framework of theoretical concepts, stocking that framework with plentiful examples with which to develop an intuition of what statements are likely to be true, testing the framework with specific calculations, and finally gaining the deep understanding required to create technically sophisticated proofs of general results. The selection of topics is guided by their relevance for current research. Having gained an abstract understanding of symmetry, you will discover the manifestation of algebraic structures everywhere

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Familiarity with abstract algebra (e.g., MATH4062 or equivalent) and commutative algebra (e.g., MATH4312 or equivalent). Please consult with the coordinator for further information
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Kevin Coulembier, kevin.coulembier@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Written exam	60%	Formal exam period	2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 +/-5 questions, to be solved individually, complete answers in latex/pdf.	20%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Sep 2024	3 to 7 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 +/-5 questions, to be solved individually, complete answers in latex/pdf.	20%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 Oct 2024	3 to 7 pages
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Two take home assignments will be worth 20 marks each, they are due in weeks 6 and 10.

The final written exam will be worth 60 marks.

Assessment criteria

High Distinction-85-100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction-75-84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit-65-74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material.
A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general
understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and
superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass- 50-64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail-0-49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submissions of assignments without special consideration will not be accepted.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Algebraic sets and the Hilbert Basis Theorem	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Nullstellensatz and polynomial maps	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Rational functions, local rings and discrete valuation ring	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Multiple points and intersection numbers for plane curves	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Projective varieties	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Projective plane curves and Bézout’s Theorem	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Noether’s Fundamental Theorem, Zariski topology	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Morphisms of varieties and algebraic function fields	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Rational maps and blowing up	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Resolutions of singularities	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Riemann’s Theorem	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Riemann-Roch Theorem	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Recap	Lecture (3 hr)
Weekly	Weekly problem solving relating to the previous week's theory.	Tutorial (12 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of key concepts in algebra
LO2. utilise fundamental algebraic principles and results to determine solutions to given problems
LO3. inspect and contrast the characteristics of fundamental algebraic structures and morphisms between them
LO4. formulate mathematical problems using algebraic terminology and justify the use of select frameworks in solving them
LO5. determine the algebraic principles inhered to complex problems, and devise strategies to solve the given problems
LO6. compose correct proofs of unfamiliar general results in algebra
LO7. communicate coherent mathematical arguments appropriately to student and expert audiences, both orally and through written work

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Additional information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MATH5310: Topics in Algebra

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect