Program Overview

MATH 311 Algebra

The abstraction of algebra to sets with extra structure has led to many important mathematical developments. The basic algebraic structures, groups, rings, and fields, are the focus of this course, together with some of their applications, such as solving systems of polynomial equations. There is an emphasis on general concepts, such as subgroups, homomorphisms, and factorization. Some familiarity with groups is expected.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$953.25 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,058.00 for international students
• Lecture start times:
  • Monday 11.00am
  • Wednesday 11.00am
  • Thursday 11.00am
  • Friday 11.00am
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: (MATH 251 or MATH 261) and 15 further 200 level MATH points
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught by

School of Mathematics and Statistics — Faculty of Science and Engineering

About this Course

The word algebra comes from the Arabic word al-jabr, meaning restoration. Indeed, algebra was influenced by many different civilizations. But, much of what we now know as Modern Algebra or Abstract Algebra is from the modern mathematics dating back to the Renaissance. It has been a major branch of mathematics, is a subject of active research, and has influenced countless other subjects. The ideas taught in this course include groups, rings, and fields.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Recall all major definitions and results in the elementary theory of groups, rings, and fields.
2. Correctly state these definitions and results, and understand their significance.
3. Demonstrate this understanding by analyzing examples and constructing your own proofs of relevant results.

How this Course is Taught

This course is designed for in-person study, and students are strongly recommended to attend lectures and tutorials on campus. The test and exam will require in-person attendance. During the trimester, there will be three lectures and one tutorial per week.

Assessment

• Exam Mark: 40%
• 6 Assignments Mark: 30%
• Test Mark: 30%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Not miss more than two assignments.
2. Achieve at least 40% on the final test.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026
• 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026

What You'll Need to Get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.