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UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

MTH2121 Algebra and number theory

Faculty of Science

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MTH2121 Algebra and number theory is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 7 units, leading on to 11 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2020
Semester 1
Clayton

This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2021 entry.

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Requisites

Before MTH2121

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After MTH2121

7 units list MTH2121 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITE: One of MTH1020, MTH1030, MTH1035, MAT1830, ENG1005

PROHIBITION: MTH3121, MTH2122, MTH3122

Equivalent units

The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.

Overview

Groups in geometry, linear algebra, and number theory; cyclic and abelian groups; permutation groups; subgroups, cosets and normal subgroups; homomorphisms, isomorphisms and the first isomorphism theorem. The Euclidean algorithm, prime factorisation, congruences, the Euler totient function; the theorems of Fermat, Euler and Wilson, and the RSA public key cryptosystem; Chinese remainder theorem; quadratic reciprocity; factorisation and primality testing algorithms.

Offerings in 2020

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus
First semester (Fully flex)ClaytonFlexible

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Appreciate the beauty and the power of pure mathematics;

  2. 2

    Recognise the fundamental concepts of algebra and number theory;

  3. 3

    Explain the notion of proof in mathematics and be able to carry out basic proofs;

  4. 4

    Illustrate how thousands of years of pure mathematical developments have enabled secure electronic communication;

  5. 5

    Apply important number theoretic algorithms;

  6. 6

    Describe the power of the generality of the concepts in group theory.

Workload and teaching

Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour applied class per week

Where it fits

MTH2121 is part of 7 areas of study in the 2020 handbook.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Professor Ian Wanless
Unit Coordinators
Professor Ian Wanless

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MTH2121?

MTH2121 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after MTH2121?

MTH2121 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 7 units, including MTH3130, MTH3150, MTH3170, MTH4115, MTH4141 and MTH5115. Those lead on to 11 units in all.

When is MTH2121 offered?

In 2020, MTH2121 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

Which majors and minors include MTH2121?

MTH2121 is part of Applied mathematics, Mathematical statistics, Mathematics and Pure mathematics.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Mathematics
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
20202021