MATH 412 – Theory of Numbers                     Spring  2008

 

Instructor: Neil Sigmon

Office: Walker 212

Phone: 831-5340

Email: npsigmon@radford.edu

Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon

Course Homepage: http://www.radford.edu/~npsigmon/courses/numtheory/math412.html

Office Hrs: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday

                   1:30 – 2:30 Tuesday, Thursday

                    (Other times by appointment)

 

Textbook: A Friendly Introduction to Number Theory, 3rd Edition, Joseph Silverman.

 

Class Meeting Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10-10:50 a.m. in Walker 222.

 

Test Dates: To be announced (There will be three major tests).

 

Final Exam Date: Monday, April 28th at 8:00 a.m. in Walker 222

 

Grading Policy:   50 % Major Tests (Two)

                             25 % Final Exam

                             20 % Homework

                             5 %   Term Paper*

 

* The term paper will be a short paper (4 pages) describing a person or method pertaining
to number theory. Ideas can be found in the text and by seeing me. I must approve the topic
you choose. The paper should be typewritten (using Microsoft Word, for example) using 1.5
inch spacing and should have good grammatical structure with references clearly stated. Do
not plagiarize! The term paper will be due Friday April 18th .

 

Grade Scale: 90-100    A

                       80-89      B

                       70-79      C

                       60-69      D

                       < 60        F

 

Prerequisite: Math 300

 

“Makeup” Test Policy: Approval for making up a missed test should be given prior to the
scheduled test. The makeup test must be taken within one week following the scheduled test.
Documentation is required for all make-ups. Except for extraordinary circumstances, approval
for a makeup test will not be granted if the scheduled test has already been given.

 

Textbook Coverage: Chapters 2, 5-19 and other selected chapters as time permits.