CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Foundations of mathematics including logic, set theory, combinatorics, and number theory. Prerequisite: MATH172.
Instructor: Dr. Eric
Rowell. email: rowell@math.tamu.edu,
webpage: www.math.tamu.edu/~rowell. Office BLOC 510B
Place and Time: This course meets TR 2:20-3:35pm
in BLOC 161.
Course Objectives: Understand and
communicate in the language of higher mathematics. This course is
designed to
provide a foundation for further study of mathematics beyond calculus.
A
major part of this foundation is learning to write proofs, and will be
the
main objective of the course. A secondary objective is to develop a
basic appreciation for higher mathematics.As this course has a
W-designation a key objective is to learn to communicate mathematics in
clear, correct English.
Text: An Introduction to Abstract Mathematics, Bond &
Keane
Material Covered/Syllabus: Most of chapters 1-5. Additional topics may be added.
Grading: Your grade will be based upon 2 Midterms
(25pts
each), Homework (15pts), a Writing Project (25pts) and quizzes/extended
problems (10pts) for a total of 100 points. The grading scale is
the usual one: 90-100% A,
80-89 % B, 70-79% C,
60-69 % D, 0-59% F, with one exception: if a student does not pass the
writting portion of the course (at least a C) he/she cannot pass the
course (i.e. will receive a D or F). Dates of
exams/assignments will be posted below. Note that the the Writing
Project takes the place of a final exam.
Writing Project: The writing project will be a
research
paper of 5-10 pages on a topic in mathematics. This will be
turned in twice: once as a draft
on Tuesday November 11 and a
final version in lieu of a final exam (via email) on Wednesday Dec 17. The draft is
worth 15pts and the final version an additional 10pts. Here are more
detailed instructions on the writing
project.
Quizzes/Extended Problems: Every Thursday
there will be either a short quiz,
a midterm exam or a "long problem"--a
more involved homework problem with at least 2 weeks' time to
ponder. Extended problems are typically more involved exploratory
problems that do not come from the text. The quizzes may be short
writing assignments or exam-type problems, and one quiz grade will be
dropped. This accounts for 10pts of your grade. The long
problems will be posted below.
Homework: Weekly homework sets will be turned in to
be
graded. Typically homework will be assigned on Thursdays and due the
following Thursday. As
writing proofs takes considerable
practice, the homework sets will
likely be quite time-consuming. Your lowest homework score will be
dropped.
Late homeworks count as a 0, and may or
may not
be graded. Homework is to be done individually and be your own
work. Homework counts at 15pts, and will be posted below.
Exams: There are two midterm
exams, one Thursday Oct. 23
and the other on Thursday Dec. 4.
These are worth 25pts each. Calculators
are not allowed (or needed) on the exams.
Course Policies: Late homework and make-ups for missed exams will only be allowed for a university approved excuse in writing. Wherever possible, students should inform the instructor before an exam is missed. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the next working day after missing an exam. Otherwise, they forfeit the right to a make-up.
An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. Copying work that was done by others is an act of scholastic dishonesty and any instance of it will be prosecuted according to University Student Rules.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal
anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights
protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed
a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of
their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an
accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room
B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Copyright Policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One photocopy (or printout from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.
Important Announcements:
Help Sessions:
Key Dates (tentative):
Homework Assignments/Syllabus (tentative)
Long Problem Assignments: