Module Identifier MA20410  
Module Title GROUPS  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr T McDonough  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite MA11010  
Mutually Exclusive MX30410  
Course delivery Lecture   19 x 1 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   3 x 1 hour example classes  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours (written examination)   100%  
  Resit assessment   2 Hours (written examination)   100%  

General description


Symmetry is one of the central themes of modern mathematics. This module deals with symmetry in an algebraic context, namely groups. Groups have applications in almost all branches of mathematics, however there are also applications outside of mathmatics, for example in particle physics and crystallography. The module will start with concrete examples of groups. Then more general and powerful abstract notions are introduced which will show how many problems involving these special cases may be dealt with in a unified way.

Aims


To provide an introduction to abstract algebra by developing elementary aspects of theory of groups. To show how a variety of examples, from disparate areas, may be dealt with in a unified way by the development of an abstract theory which embraces them.

Learning outcomes


On completion of this module, a student should be able to:

Syllabus


1. EXAMPLES OF GROUPS: Matrix groups, symmetry groups, groups given by generators and relations, cyclic groups.
2. SUBGROUPS: Criteria for subgroups. Special subgroups. Lagrange' theorem - cosets, index of subgroups, order of elements.
3. PERMUTATION GROUPS: Cycle notation for permutations. Regular representation. Cayley's theorem. Orbits. Stabilisers. Symmetric groups.
4. HOMOMORPHISMS: Normal subgroups, quotient groups, homomorphisms and isomorphisms. Isomorphism theorems. Automorphism groups.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Allenby, R B J T. (1991) Rings, Fields and Groups. 2nd. Edward Arnold 0340544406
** Supplementary Text
Durbin, J R. (2000) Modern Algebra. 4th. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Fraleigh, J B. (1999) A First Course in Abstract Algebra. 6th. Addison-Wesley 0201474360
Jordan, C R & Jordan, D A. (1994) Groups. Edward Arnold 034061045X
Green, J A. (1995) Sets and Groups I. 2nd. Chapman & Hall 0412708205
Whitelaw, T A. (1983) An Introduction to Abstract Algebra. Blackie 021691437X