Exploring Abstract Algebra Using Computer
Software
A PREP Workshop
Leader Biographies
Julianne
Rainbolt received her PhD in group representation theory from the University
of Illinois at Chicago. She was a 1996-1997 Project NExT Fellow.
From 1996-1998 Dr. Rainbolt held a postdoctoral position at Michigan State
University before her current position at Saint Louis University.
Dr. Rainbolt has been using the software GAP in her abstract algebra courses
for the past five years. She has also used the software Exploring
Small Groups in her abstract algebra courses. Dr. Rainbolt has written,
in conjunction with Joseph Gallian, a lab manual that is published electronically
by Houghton Mifflin. This manual contains a series of exercises that
use the software GAP and are appropriate for a first course in abstract
algebra. Her article, Using GAP in an Abstract Algebra Class, appeared
in the book Innovations in Teaching Abstract Algebra (Allen Hibbard
and Ellen Maycock, Editors, MAA Notes #60, 2002). In addition, Dr. Rainbolt
taught a minicourse on using GAP in an abstract algebra course at the summer
2002 MathFest. In 2003 she copresented (with Dr. Russell Blyth) the
previous version of this workshop (then called "Abstract Algebra with GAP").
Russell Blyth received his PhD in
group theory from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1987.
He has been on the faculty at Saint Louis University for fifteen years.
Dr. Blyth has used the software GAP in abstract algebra courses at the
under-graduate and graduate level for several years. He presented
workshops about using GAP projects at three national Project NexT
meetings, as well as at a Texas Project NexT meeting. He has also
used MAPLE (he co-developed a series of worksheets for linear algebra with
Michael K. May, S.J.) and the software package MAGMA in his classes. Dr.
Blyth has a wider interest in innovation in teaching mathematics.
He has incorporated active learning into many of the courses he teaches,
and has recently been involved in teaching an exciting freshmen-level seminar
course for non-majors based on Berger and Starbirds book The Heart of
Mathematics. In 2003 he copresented (with Dr. Julianne Rainbolt) the previous
version of this workshop (then called "Abstract Algebra with GAP").
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This PREP workshop is made possible by the NSF grant DUE: 0341481