Mth 641-643
Modern Algebra
Second course/topics in abstract algebra.
Mth 641-643 to
be taken in sequence.
Prerequisite for Mth 641: Mth 543, or both Mth 542 and Mth 545.
(This hides a Linear Algebra requirement, including much of Mth 544.)
The textbook for Mth 641-642 will be:
Thomas W. Hungerford's
"Algebra",
Graduate Text in Math. vol. 73, Springer-Verlag New York Inc.,
2nd edition (first Springer edition) 1980.
13-digit ISBN 978-0-387-90518-1 (old ISBN 0-387-90518-9).
As the information on the Springer
web page is somewhat confusing, I hope the following comments will clarify.
This classic book has a new "printing" every couple of years.
To determine the printing for a particular copy, look at the bottom of the
copyright (back of the title) page:
If you see a sequence of small numbers like
15 14 13 ,
then you have the thirteenth printing.
My understanding is that the most recent version is the 17th printing and that
there are no changes from the 12th printing 2003
and only a few minor changes since the 8th printing 1996. All recent printings
will be suitable for class and are widely available.
F. Rudolf Beyl
beylf at pdx dot edu
Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics +
Telephone 503-725-3646, Fax 503-725-3661 (Attn. Dr. Beyl)