Math 220
Section 901
Foundations of Mathematics
Spring 2017

Course description
This three-credit W course introduces the fundamental concepts of abstract mathematical reasoning: logic, sets, functions, relations, binary operations, mathematical induction, and the integers.
Course objective
The main goal of the course is to develop fluency in abstract mathematical reasoning through reading, understanding, and writing proofs.
Textbook
The required textbook is An Introduction to Abstract Mathematics by Robert J. Bond and William J. Keane, published by Waveland Press in 1999 (reissued 2007), ISBN 978-1-57766-539-7. We will cover Chapters 1–5 and possibly additional topics if time permits.
Prerequisite
The prerequisite for this course is second-semester calculus (with a grade of A, B, or C): namely, either Math 148, Math 152, or Math 172.
Meeting time and place
The course meets in room 624 of the Blocker building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:10 to 12:25.
The first class meeting is on Tuesday, January 17. The last class meeting is on Thursday, April 27, because the final class day of the semester (Tuesday, May 2) is a redefined day on which students attend their Friday classes.
Exams and grades
There will be examinations in class on February 21 (Tuesday) and March 28 (Tuesday). The final examination takes place on May 4 (Thursday) from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. Each of these three exams counts for 20% of the course grade. The term paper counts for 20% of the course grade. The remaining 20% of the course grade is based on homework/classwork/quizzes. Course letter grades are based on the standard scale (60% is passing, 70% or higher earns a C, 80% or higher earns a B, 90% or higher earns an A). Since Math 220 is a W course, you must pass the writing portion in order to pass the course.
Course website
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~boas/courses/220-2017a/
Office hours
During the Spring 2017 semester, my office hour in Blocker 601L is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:00; I am available also by appointment.
The best way to contact me is via email to boas@tamu.edu. Telephone messages can be left at the Department of Mathematics, 979-845-7554.
Help sessions
There is a Math 220 help session starting the second week of classes. Check https://mlc.tamu.edu/Online-Help-Services/MLC-Help-Sessions for the schedule and room. Update: In addition to the posted help session, there is an additional help session for Math 220 and Math 323 that meets in Blocker 506A on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30–8:00.