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 Blocker 510B
Place and Time: Section 903 meets TR
12:45-2:00pm in Blocker 148 and section 904 meets TR 2:20-3:35pm
in Blocker 148.
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: 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). 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.
Exams: There are two midterm exams, tentatively
scheduled for February 23 and April 27. There is NO in-class 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 April 11 and a
final version in lieu of a final exam on Tuesday May 9.
The draft is worth 10pts and the final version an additional
15pts. The following is a more detailed description of the writing project.
Quizzes/Extended Problems: Most Thursdays there will be either a short quiz or an extended problem--a more involved homework problem. Extended problems are more involved exploratory problems that do not come from the text, independent research projects etc. The quizzes may be short writing assignments or exam-type problems, and one quiz/extended-problem grade will be dropped.
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. One homework score will be dropped. Late homeworks count as a 0, and may or may not be graded.
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, currently located in
the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White Creek
complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. 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: MT 6-8pm Blocker 111 and TBA
Key Dates (tentative):
Homework Assignments:
Long Problem Assignments: