\magnification=\magstep1{\bf {\centerline {MATH 431: Number Theory}}}\medskip         
{ {\centerline{             			         Spring semester 1999-2000}}}
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{\bf Classes meet:} MWF 3:00-3:50 AM in Room 326 CCMB
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{\bf Instructor:} 	Matthew Dyer, 

Room 201 CCBM, 

 Phone 631 6082, 
	
e-mail: dyer.1@nd.edu
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{\bf Office hours:}	M 10:30--11:30am or by appointment 
	You are encouraged to  contact me early with any difficulties before 
problems accumulate. 
If the office hour time is inconvenient, please make an appointment 
to see me at some other time.
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{\bf Text:} 	A Friendly Introduction to Number Theory  by Joseph H. Silverman, Prentice Hall 1997.
\medskip {\bf 	References:} 	Fundamental Number Theory with Applications by Richard A. Mollin and 
	An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers by  Niven and Zuckerman have
 been placed on reserve in the Math Library.
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{\bf Tests:}	There will be two in class tests and a two hour final examination. 
		The schedule of tests is as follows:

	Test 1   Wednesday 2/23 3:00--3:50 pm,	
	
Test 2   Wednesday 3/29	3:00--3:50 pm

	Final examination Wednesday  5/10, 4:15--6:15pm 
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{\bf Problem Sets and Homework:}	There will be a  number of problem sets
 assigned throughout the semester. These will contain a wide variety of problems ranging 
from routine exercises 
(meant to help to absorb new concepts) to harder problems
 requiring ingenuity in their solutions. Many of the questions will be
 presented in an open-ended way requiring you to investigate
 whether some statement is true or not, or formulate
 some conjectures to explain your observations; elementary number theory
 provides an excellent laboratory for development of such skills.
As well as lecturing in class, I will set aside significant amounts of class time 
 for you to work on these exercises either individually or
 in small groups, under my supervision. 
It may be useful at times to have access to a simple calculator.
 Occassionally, in-class work from the problem sets will be collected
for grading. Homework from the  problem sets will be assigned
 frequently
 and will be due on the last class day of the week it was assigned. 
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{\bf Honor code:}    All Notre Dame students are bound by the Notre Dame Honor Code
	Students may cooperate and consult books and notes, while working on problem sets
 and homework,
 but mustn't copy  others work or submit work done by others. Cooperation in work
 on the problem sets is actively encouraged.
 The use of books, notes, etc. and communication with others is not 
allowed during tests. Calculators may be used during exams.
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{\bf Assessment:}	 Your grade for the class will be assigned on the basis
of your total score out of 500
determined as follows: Each in class test  will be worth 100 points,
 the final exam will be worth 150 points, and the graded exercises from problem sets
(i.e. graded in-class work and homework)  will be worth  150 points.
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{\bf Attendance:}	You are expected to attend all class meetings.
 Excessive absences may result in lowering the grade or even failing the class.
 Make up tests  will be given only if the absence is excused. 
The schedule of tests is known early enough, and travel arrangement should
 be made so that they do not interfere with tests. 
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