| Course Description: |
Foundations of mathematics including logic, set theory,
combinatorics, and number theory.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MATH 148, MATH 152 or MATH 172, or equivalent.
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| About Math 300: |
This class is your first 'real' mathematics class. It forms the foundation for all
that comes next. It is a serious course, and will require more of your time than
others you may have had. The payoff for you will be enormous, however. My goal
is to teach you the formal structure of mathematics; the meaning and uses of Definitions,
Examples, Theorems, and Proofs, and in particular how to construct and critique proofs;
in short, how to tell truth from fiction, or at least sound arguments from those that
are poorly-supported.
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| Writing Class: |
This is a 'W' course, and your work will include a term paper, and a number of other writing
assignments. To pass this course, you must pass the writing component.
The University Writing Center (UWC) is a resource to help you develop and refine the communication
skills vital to success in college and beyond. Currently, you can choose to work with a trained UWC
peer consultant via web conference or email. You can schedule an appointment to discuss any kind of
writing project. Their consultants can work with you at any stage of your process. To schedule an
appointment or to view their handouts, videos, or interactive learning modules, visit
writingcenter.tamu.edu.
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| Special Note: |
Your goal in this course, as in every course that you ever
take, should be a complete mastery of the material. Anything less is
aspiring to mediocrity and doing yourself a disservice.
Because of the nature of these times, this class will be slightly 'flipped'
in that you will be responsible for covering some material before class.
This will include reading the textbook, watching some recorded content, and sometimes
working on a problem before we meet.
Class time will be devoted to further discussion of the material and of problems.
Come to class ready to ask questions about what you do not yet know.
Ask questions in class, lots of them, and participate in the discussion on Piazza.
I highly recommend that you read the
advice from former students of mine in this class.
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| More: |
Continuing in the experimental nature of attending a university during a pandemic, this class will be partially flipped.
Our book comes with a lot of pre-recorded material from Grand Valley State University, some of those videos are required.
You are to watch them before class meets (this includes the first day), and I will have a short concept quiz for you on the material
that is to be submitted before class meets.
In class, I will briefly talk on the material, sometimes delivering a full lecture, typically not.
We will work on and discuss prolems in class, including some of the homework.
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| Learning Outcomes: |
 Develop an understanding of the logical structure of mathematics, including the role of definitions and Theorems.
Be able to write proofs of formal statements, as well as verify the correctness of proofs.
Be able to use LaTeX for formatting mathematics.
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