MA 377 Rings and Modules

This is a web page for the third year course MA377 Rings and Modules. This is a course in abstract algebra.
The main focus of this course will be the structure theory of finite dimensional algebras. This course follows on from Algebra II in the sense that that course gave you the definition of a ring and some examples. There is also a sense in which this course follows on from the courses on Vectors and Matrices. This course develops the concepts introduced in these courses but does not depend on the proofs.
I have set up a forum for this course. Anyone can join. Please do so and contribute.
Here are some links to Wikipedia pages. These pages give you the definitions and some of the terminology but not much more. There is also considerable repetition.
  • Definition
  • Ring theory
  • Homomorphisms
  • Glossary
  • Subrings
  • Algebras
  • Algebras
  • Algebras
  • Module
  • Ideals
  • Simple rings
  • Artinian rings
  • Division Ring
  • Artin-Wedderburn Theorem

  • You can also find some useful information here.
    These are the sections in the course.

    Basics

    Semi-simple modules

    Radical

    Projective modules


  • Example Sheet I
  • Example Sheet II
  • Example Sheet III
  • Example Sheet IV
  • Example Sheet V


  • Here are some past exam papers. Although they are from a different course they were still set by me and should give you some idea of what to expect.
  • Exam paper 2002
  • Exam paper 2003
  • Exam paper 2004