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To do the problem sets: some proofs, but heavy on example-oriented problems. For those looking for a more functional and less theoretical understanding of finite groups, the basics of integers and primes should be enough.

To follow the lectures: Basic knowledge of proofs, set theory, and the integers. The focus will be on finite groups, with the occasional infinite example. Most linear algebra exercises are labeled advanced; we use mostly 2x2 matrices, with occasional 3x3 cases.

Base list: Sets, bijections/one-one correspondences, equivalence relations, and equivalence classes. Factorization of integers into primes. A video playlist for the prerequisites can be found here.

Week 1. Definition of Group

Week 2. Subgroups

Week 3. Cosets and Lagrange’s Theorem

Week 4. Normal Subgroups and Quotient Groups

Week 5. Special Subgroup Constructions

Week 6. Homomorphisms and Isomorphisms

Week 7. Non-Isomorphic Groups/ Automorphisms

Week 8. Fermat's Little Theorem

Week 9. Groups of Order 8/ Semidirect Products

Week 10. Group Actions/ Cayley's Theorem

Week 11. Symmetric Groups/ Conjugacy and The Class Equation

Week 12. Cauchy's Theorem/ Sylow Theory

Week 13. Internal Products/ The Fundamental Theorem of Finite Abelian Groups

Week 14. Composition and Classification (Last Class)

Office Hours: I'll be running the course out of the subreddit GroupTheory2012. Questions and comments can be posted there.

Videos: The complete video list is available in the Abstract Algebra section, GT series at mathdoctorbob.org.

Book: I'm using Herstein's Topics in Algebra for an outline. He doesn't do group actions, and it is not a great book for beginners. I'm a big fan of Schaum's Outlines for beginners. Dixon's Problems in Group Theory is also affordable with many solved problems.

This is a video course with supplemental problem sets. The 30+ videos are already shot and available through the above links. Although the class is finished, I will keep an eye out for questions or comments.

Prerequisite videos are available as noted above.

(Bob Donley) I'm an ex-academic with over a decade of teaching experience. My research area is the representation theory of semisimple Lie groups. As a grad student and a postdoc, one of my specialties was running problem sessions to help PhD students get through quals. I've been cited twice by students as a most influential professor.