This is the homepage for the Summer 2010 Universal Algebra group contract.  We’ll meet for this subject on Tuesdays at 12pm and Thursdays at 3pm (except as otherwise agreed).

Textbook: We’re using the text A Course in Universal Algebra, by Burris and Sankappanavar.  In these five weeks, we’ll work through chapters I, II (sections 1-3, 5-11, and 14), IV (sections 1-4), and V (sections 1 & 2).  We need to get through about 6 sections per week; if we go faster at the beginning, we’ll have a little slop time at the end, which is always a good thing.

Homework: we’ll use the turn-in system, so each time we meet you’ll submit one problem for grading (so, you’ll submit two problems per week).  You’ll maintain a portfolio of your work on the problems you don’t hand in; I’ll review your completed portfolio at the end when I write your evaluation.  Homework assignments appear below.

Exams: None, which puts more emphasis on your final portfolio.

Here are the assigned problems, by date due and by section:

  • Due Thursday, June 24:
    I.1: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
    I.2: 2, 4, 5
    I.3: 2, 4, 5
  • Due Tuesday, June 29:
    I.4: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
    I.5: 1, 4, 5, 8
    II.1: 2, 4, 6
    II.3: 1
  • Due Thursday, July 1:
    II.5: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 (yes, just one section; it’s an important one.  I’ll give a longer assignment for next Tuesday)
  • Due Tuesday, July 6:
    II.6: 2, 3, 6
    II.7: 1, 2, 3, 5
    II.8: 1, 5, 6, 8, 11
  • Due Thursday, July 8 (when we’re meeting at 4pm):
    Nothing – we’re using these two days as catch-up time.  Feel free to turn in a turn-in that you previously missed, or to redo a previous turn-in.  We’ll do sections II.9 and II.10 for next Tuesday.
  • Due Tuesday, July 13:
    II.9: 1, 2, 5
    II.10: 1, 2, 5, 6
  • Due Friday, July 16 (when we’re meeting at 1pm):
    II.11: 1, 2
    II.12: 1
  • Due Monday, July 19 (when we’re meeting at 4pm):
    II.14: 2, 3, 7, 9
  • Due Thursday, July 29 (I’ll be out of town July 20-28, so we’ll have to figure out when to have this last meeting):
    IV.1: 1, 2, 3, 4
    IV.2: 2
    IV.3: 1, 3, 4
    IV.4: 1, 12