Prerequisites
Math 503 is a prerequisite for this course. Students will be
assumed to know the names, notations, and properties of important
number systems (natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, and real
numbers), basic properties and operations of sets and functions, the
logical structure of definitions and proofs, including correct use and
interpretation of quantifiers, and proof schemes such as proof by
induction, direct proof, proof by contradiction, proof by
contrapositive, and if and only proofs. A separate handout provides a
sample of statements you should be able to prove.
Grades
Grades will depend on exams and a portfolio of course work. The
portfolio
is required, and counts for 40% of your grade. You will be adding work
to your portfolio throughout the semester, so it is important that
you understand at the beginning what is expected. See a separate
handout
called Course
Portfolio.
A tentative schedule showing what topics are planned for each class
meeting is available here.
Makeup Policy
If you are forced to miss an in-class exam for reasons beyond your
control (such as an illness, family emergency, etc.), a makeup may be
arranged,
but
ONLY if I am informed in advance. I will NOT approve
requests
to reschedule an exam for reasons of convenience. For example, if you
plan
to travel during a school break, that is not a valid reason to
reschedule
an exam. Similarly, avoidable conflicts for recreational,
entertainment,
social, or work activities are generally not valid reasons to miss an
exam.
You have received a schedule indicating the dates of the exams; please
plan other activities around them.
Attendance Policy
Class participation in this course is important. Although I will not
keep track of days you miss class, or impose specific penalties for
missing
class, I do expect you to attend and participate in each class meeting,
unless you are ill or have unavoidable conflicts.
In some cases you may not complete an entire problem set, either
because
you do not understand all of the questions, or because you run out of
time.
In all cases, hand in as much of the assignment as you have completed
when it is due. Some of the students have had classes from me in the
past, in which I was pretty lax on homework deadlines. Because of
my other obligations, this semester I am going to be pretty strict on
the deadlines. Late work will only be accepted in cases of
illness or genuine emergency situations. Since the problem sets
will have a signficant impact on your grade, it is important to
complete and hand in on time as much of each assignment as possible.
Any problems you are unable to complete by the deadline should be
completed as you have time and added to your portfolio. But I
will not collect or grade these problems.
Collaboration
You may work together on some problems, but you
should work alone on a significant part of each assignment. When
you do work with others, observe the following guidelines. First,
each
student
should be actively involved in working on problems. It is not of
much value to copy the work of others, nor does it help someone to copy
your
work. Second, each student should write up his or her own version
of the solution to each problem. It is fine to work together to
understand what method to use, or how to approach a problem, but when
it comes to actually writing up the solutions, work separately.
Your solution to each problem should be something you understand for
yourself and can explain in your own words. This is the most
effective way to use the practice problems to help learn the material.
Your work will be easier to read and easier to correct if you
prepare it using a word processor. This is particularly
encouraged (but not required) for plus
problems. Suggestions
about mathematical word processing are provided here.
For work prepared with a word processor, it is even more important
to leave space for my comments. Be sure to leave a generous
margin on the left, and also leave some extra space after each problem.