PMATH 446Introduction to Commutative Algebra
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Pure Mathematics
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Module theory: classification of finitely generated modules over PIDs, exact sequences and tensor products, algebras, localisation, chain conditions. Primary decomposition, integral extensions, Noether's normalisation lemma, and Hilbert's Nullstellensatz.
Prerequisites
- Must have completed the following:
- PMATH348 - Fields and Galois Theory (0.50)
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6615 | 29 / 81 | MW 16:00–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
89% liked it31% easy91% useful
From 9 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
A very deep course. Although the evaluations were quite laid-back, the material was very dense and often unmotivated. Take this if you love algebra.
May 2022 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
With Ben Webster, who is a god-awful lecturer and hard prof. I sort of realized I'm not an alge-bro, and thus this course feels like a waste of time when I don't care much about its applications to alg geo/alg NT (and the course content extremely lacks motivation without these).
Apr 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
The materials should be interesting, but Ben is such a terrible instructor! His handwritting on the board is not comprehensible and his notes is very dense with a lot of handwavy definitions/proofs that skip a lot of steps. The assignment questions are kinda out of nowhere; they don't really help u understand the course materials.
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Felt like torture when I took it (with Ben Webster) (and without having taken PMath 464 and 441), but in the following semester I realized that I was taught such powerful ideas, methods and theorems, such abundant examples (and therefore intuition), that my other algebra courses suddenly became just bird. Absolutely worth taking.
Jan 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Interesting and fun course. However, our professor (Ben Webster) provided us with a lot of motivation throughout the courses, which helped a lot. Without it, its easy to get lost or bored with all the abstraction. I do recommend either PM 441 or PM 464 beforehand for this reason.
Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
15 posts and comments in 15 threads mention PMATH 446, December 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
UW Math "Must-Take" Upper Year Math Courses 16 points, 10 comments
“What would you say is a useful upper year math course that everybody should take, regardless of their specialization?”
u/MeowntainDuwu: “What major? I can only answer for PMATH. Beyond the required courses: PMATH 453, PMATH 467, PMATH 446, PMATH 441”
Spring 2023
Suggestions for PMath grad courses in 4th year 1 point, 2 comments
u/peevedoldfart: “… I have some background, so the material shouldn't be that difficult), Ben Webster's PMath 446 (commutative algebra) (I've gone through much of Jacobson II on my own, so this likely will be pretty straightforward), and Jason Bell's category theory / homological algebra course …”
Spring 2021
PSA: Do Not Overload an Online Term 54 points, 17 comments
“I'm probably late into the game given that Winter 2021 was the first term for me that got fully online, but I dare say I regret the decision of taking 6 courses instead of 5, 3 of which are CS …”
u/BlazingMuddy-6305: “… I might have gotten lost in CS 860 if not because of PMATH 446). In the end, I think this is one of the most rewarding terms I ever have (in terms of material) and also the heaviest term I ever have. …”
Fall 2020
PMATH 445 vs. 446 vs. 464 6 points, 4 comments
u/BlazingMuddy-6305: “… The problem is that according to my study plan, I could only take PMATH 446 next term. Could you guys give some opinion 🙏? Or maybe outside of those three, anyone have recommendations? Thanks :) &x200B; Edit: I completely forgot to add this. …”
Advice on course load for these courses (Phys, Pmath, Amath) 4 points, 9 comments
“I have to take PHYS 234 and 242 (QM1 And E&M1), AMATH 242 (Comp math) and PMATH 348 (Fields and Galois theory) next term. …”
[deleted]: “I've never taken the PHYS or AMATH courses, but I didn't find PMATH 348 or 352 particularly time consuming; but it would surely be prof dependent.”
u/Paul_A_M_Dirac1: “What program are you in? Are you taking pmath 347 and 333 now? Im in phys and I took pmath 347,348 and 446 on top of my regular phys course work and I never did the advanced courses either.”
Spring 2020
Alumni of UW, looking back— what was your favourite classes/memories from your uni life? Do you miss any of it? 45 points, 19 comments
u/mrbanana4: “Favourite classes: MATH147, PMATH446, and PMATH445 Favourite memories: Living with all my friends in first and second year”
Fall 2019
What courses are you taking next term? 7 points, 40 comments
u/Spencer_Wilson: “CO 487, CS 240, ENGL 306A, PMATH 348, PMATH 446, PMATH 464, and STAT 241. Keeping a very close eye on the drop deadline.”
Winter 2019
Mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah passed away 35 points, 6 comments
u/Nyxeal: “PMATH446 this term uses his book I heard. R. I. P.”
Spring 2018
Easiest courses at UW 5 points, 15 comments
“Hey everyone. I'm sure all of us can use an easy course once in awhile. What are some of the easiest classes you have taken at UW. In terms of workload and testing. …”
u/Barycentric_Bash: “not sure what you mean by 'workload and testing'. usually bird courses are distinguished by 'easy to pass' and 'relatively easy to get a high mark in'. that being said, math 103, pmath 446, 464, cs 100, smf 204, and hrm 200 are the usual birds cs kids take”
Fall 2017
How is CS 487 in terms of difficulty? 19 points, 0 comments
u/WATERLOOInveRelyToi: “… I did really well in PMATH 347 and CS 370 (high 80s), but I have not taken PMATH 446 so I'm kinda afraid my abstract algebra skills might be lacking. …”
I JUST finished my last semester of undergrad!! 104 points, 21 comments
“Are you warriors proud of me?? Please give me validation.”
u/daga2222: “I'm only proud of you if you have credits in PMATH 453, CS 452, and STAT 433.”
u/Chelsea921: “Soft tingz boy dem, I've got pmath 446 under my belt somehow”
Need recommendations for a PMATH course 3 points, 10 comments
u/SolarSystemSuperStar: “… I'm a CO major going up to 3A in Winter 2018, and I've been having some trouble deciding on my 5th course (I'm primarily debating between PMATH 340/446/464)- any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. …”
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