Introduction to Algebra I

Academic unit or major

Mathematics

Instructor(s)

Satoshi Naito

Class Format

Lecture (Zoom)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

3-4 Wed (H112) / 3-4 Fri (H112)

Class

-

Course Code

ZUA.A201

Number of credits

200

Course offered

2020

Offered quarter

1-2Q

Syllabus updated

Jul 10, 2025

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

Algebra is a discipline of mathematics that deals with abstract notions which generalize algebraic operations on various mathematical objects. The main subjects of this course include basic notions and properties of algebraic operations and of commutative rings, which are an abstraction/generalization of the integers and polynomials, and their ideals and residue rings.

The contents of this course form not only a foundation of the whole Algebra but also an indispensable body of knowledge in other areas of mathematics such as Analysis and Geometry. Also, it is a basic attitude in all mathematical sciences to perform logical arguments without depending on intuition. In this course, we provide rigorous proofs, based on the notions of sets and maps, so that the students can learn how typical mathematical arguments should go.

Course description and aims

To become familiar with important notions such as the integer ring, polynomial rings, binary operations, equivalence relations, equivalence classes, residue rings of the integer ring, residue rings of a polynomial ring, the axiom of rings, subrings, ideals, residue rings, homomorphisms of rings, and the fundamental theorem on ring homomorphisms.

To become able to prove by him/herself basic properties of these objects.

Keywords

integer ring, polynomial ring, binary operation, equivalence relation, equivalence classe, residue rings of the integer ring, residue rings of a polynomial ring, ring, subring, ideal, residue ring, homomorphism of rings, the fundamental theorem on ring homomorphims

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Standard lecture course

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Shoichi Nakajima : Basics of Algebra and Arithmetic, Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd., 2000.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

P.J. Cameron : Introduction to Algebra (second ed.), Oxford Univ. Press, 2008.
N. Jacobson : Basic Algebra I (second ed.), Dover，1985.
M. Artin : Algebra (second ed.), Addison-Wesley, 2011.
N. Herstein: Topics in algebra, John Wiley & Sons, 1975.
A. Weil: Number Theory for Beginners, Springer-Verlag, 1979.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Midterm exam and final exam. Details will be announced during a lecture.

Related courses

• MTH.A201 ： Introduction to Algebra I
• MTH.A202 ： Introduction to Algebra II
• ZUA.A202 ： Exercises in Algebra A I
• ZUA.A203 ： Introduction to Algebra II
• ZUA.A204 ： Exercises in Algebra A II

Prerequisites

Students are supposed to have completed [Linear Algebra I / Recitation], [Linear Algebra II] and [Linear Algebra Recitation II].
Students are strongly recommended to take ZUA.A202: Exercises in Algebra A I (if not passed yet) at the same time.