Elementary Number Theory

Math350 Elementary Number Theory
Spring 2008

Instructor:	Dr. Richard Ng http://orion.math.iastate.edu/rng
Class schedule	1:10-2pm MWF Spring 2008
Contact:	Carver Hall 466, (T) 515-294-1016, Email: rng@iastate.edu
Prerequisite:	201, or 307, or 317 or instructor's permission
Text book:	Elementary Number Theory (5th Edition) by Kenneth H. Rosen

Course description: Introduction to elementary number theory and its applications. This course emphasizes on theoretic development and applications to solving congruences, Diophantine equations, and cryptography. Nonmajor graduate credit

Content coverage: (Calendar and Homework)

Integers, divisibility, the Euclidean algorithm and the GCD, uniqueness of factorization, Linear Diophantine equations
Congruences, Chinese remainder theorem, Fermat's "little" theorem, Wilson's theorem, Euler's theorem
Multiplicative functions, Mobius inversion
Cryptology: Character ciphers block, public key cryptography, cryptographic protocols and applications
Primative roots
Prime numbers, Mersenne primes, perfect numbers, pseudorandom numbers
Quadratic residue, quadratic reciprocity

Disability Policy: Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). DR is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076.

Grading Policy:

Midterm Exams:	There will be two in class midterm exams on Feb. 15 Friday and March 28 Friday (tentatively).
Final:	The final will be 120 minutes long. The exact time for the final will be posted on this website later.
Homework:	Homework assignments will be assigned and collected biweekly.
Quizzes:	Quizzes will be given regularly. *No make-up quiz will be given.* Two lowest quiz scores will be dropped in the end. The quizzes mainly consist of problems chosen from homework assignments.

Grading

Quizzes
(20%)

Homework
(10%)

Midterm Exams
(40%)

Final Exam
(30%)

Students are encouraged to study and work together but copying each other's work is not acceptable.
Any cheating or dishonesty will be treated seriously, especially in an examination, and a grade of zero will usually be given.

Final course grade will solely base on the performance on exams, quizzes and homework.

Approximate letter grade corresponding to the course final score:
Percentage	90	85	80	75
Grade	A	A-	B+	B

The instructor reserves the right to slightly alter the grading scale, if he deems it necessary.

"As you embark on your study, keep in mind that number theory is a classical subject with results dating back thousands of years, yet is also the most modern of subject, with new discoveries being made at a rapid pace. It is pure mathematics with the greatest intellectual appeal, yet it is also applied mathematics, with crucial applications to cryptography and other aspects of computer science and electrical engineering." K.H. Rosen (AT&T Laboratories)

Content coverage: (Calendar and Homework)

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