Course Information
Math 310: Discrete Mathematics - Section 01, Fall 2011
4 Credits: MTRF 9:30am - 10:20am
Bridges Room 262
Textbook: Discrete Mathematics
and Its Applications,
6th ed, by
Kenneth H. Rosen [Required]
Office: MacLean 375M Office Phone: (218)477-4011
Office Hours: MTWThF 8:30am –
9:20am Email:
jamesju@mnstate.edu
MTThF
11:30am – 12:20pm Webpage: web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
MTTh 2:30pm –
3:20pm
Other times by
Appointment
Course Description: Methods of proof, sets, logic, functions and
relations, Boolean algebra, graph theory and number systems.
Pre-requisite: Students must either have
taken, or be concurrently enrolled in MATH 262 Calculus II.
Course Requirements: You are expected to complete all
homework assignments, projects, and writing assignments, and to take and pass
all exams and quizzes at their scheduled dates and times.
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able
to do the following:
·
Solve real
world problems using mathematics/logical systems.
·
Express
mathematical/logical ideas clearly in writing.
·
Explain what
constitutes a valid mathematical/logical argument (proof).
·
Be able to
construct a valid proof.
·
Apply a
variety of higher-order problem-solving and modeling strategies.
·
Exhibit
mastery of computational skills and the ability to make reasonable estimates.
·
Understand
and be able to apply the concepts of graph theory and Boolean algebra.
Instructional Strategies: Lecture, discussion.
Attendance and Academic
Expectations: You
are expected to attend class regularly and on time. The penalty for unexcused absences is that missed assignments cannot be made
up. You are expected to read the
assigned material in your textbook prior to each lecture and to attempt the
problems on the homework assignment. You
are encouraged to form a group to study and work with outside of class. You should bring your book and solutions to
recent homework problems with you to class.
Homework: I will collect
and grade homework
several times during the semester. You
will be told at least 2 days in advance which problems to turn in. Even when homework is not collected, you
should work enough homework problems in order to fully understand the course
material. I will spend a few minutes at
the beginning of class answering homework questions, but the bulk of our time
will be spent covering new material. You
are encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates and with me outside of
class during my office hours. If my
office hours do not match your schedule, see me about arranging another time to
meet.
Quizzes: I will give quizzes
at various times during the course. Most
will be in-class quizzes, but a few may be “take home” quizzes. I typically announce quizzes one class period
before I give them so you have time to prepare for them. Quizzes will be worth from 5-15 points, depending
on their length and scope.
Your best homework and quiz scores will be
combined to contribute 180 points toward your final grade. Expect at
least one homework grade and at least
one quiz grade to be dropped.
Projects: You will be assigned 2 projects during the course. You should think of these projects as
extended homework assignments that are designed to fit together
cohesively. Each project will be worth
25 points, so projects will contribute 50 points toward your final grade.
Reflection Papers: Twice
during the semester you will be given a writing assignment in which you will be
asked to give your personal thoughts and reflections on different aspects of
the course. These papers must be typed
and should be at least 1 page long (typed, double spaced). These informal papers will be graded mainly
on their content and completeness, but you should write in complete sentences
and clearly express your thoughts. Each
reflection paper will contribute 10 points toward your final grade.
Gateway Quizzes: There
will be four (4) “Gateway Quizzes”:
one on Negating Quantified Statements,
one on Direct Proofs and Indirect Proofs,
one on Set Containment Proofs, and
one on Proof by Induction. You will be given multiple attempts to
complete each quiz successfully (achieving a minimum standard of 80%). Each
Gateway Quiz will count 20 points toward your final grade. Students passing the quiz on the first try
will receive 100% on the quiz. Each
additional attempt will result in a 10% deduction to your grade on that quiz
(e.g. 90% for passing on the 2nd attempt, 80% for passing on the 3rd
attempt, etc.).
Gateway
quizzes will be given in class once.
Additional attempts will be proctored outside of class. To receive credit, quizzes must be completed
by study day (December 7th).
If all four Gateway Quizzes are
not successfully completed, your final
grade will be penalized by 7% for each incomplete Gateway Quiz.
Exams: This
course will have four unit exams plus a comprehensive final exam, as outlined on
the course syllabus. Be sure to mark the
date of each exam on your calendar, especially the final exam. Exams will be closed book, and closed notes. I will allow the use of an approved calculator (no graphing calculators are
allowed). All other electronic devices
(cell-phones, etc.) are not
allowed.
The
credit given on exam questions will be proportional to the amount of correct
work shown. Little to no credit will be
given if sufficient work is not shown, even when the final answer is correct. For your final grade, your best three exams
will be worth 100 points each, while your lowest exam will be scaled in half
to be out of 50 points. The final exam is worth 200 points.
Weekly
Problem Sessions:
Every
Wednesday from 9:30-10:20pm an optional
problem solving session will be held in Bridges 262. Those that choose to attend will use this
time to work collaboratively on problems from the assigned homework. I will be there to help and give suggestions.
Course
Grading Policy: Your
final grade in the course will be computed as follows:
Homework/Quizzes: 150 points
“Gateway Quizzes”
80 points
Projects: 50 points
Reflection Papers
20 points
Highest 3 Unit Exams: 300 points
Lowest Unit Exam:
50 points
Final Exam: 200 points
Total: 850
points
I
will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned
during the semester (rounded to the nearest .1%), and will then assign letter
grades based on the following scale. I
may make slight adjustments to this scale (down, never up), but don’t count on
this happening.
96.5-100.0% A+ 81.5-86.4% B 69.0-71.4% C–
91.5-96.5% A 79.0-81.4% B– 66.0-68.9% D+
89.0-91.4% A– 76.5-78.9% C+ 60.0-65.9% D
86.5-88.9% B+ 71.5-76.4% C <60.0% F
Make-up
Work: Because you are allowed to drop several scores, I only
give make-up assignments for extreme personal emergencies or for
absences which are officially sanctioned by the University. I expect written documentation in either of
these cases. If you miss an exam and a
make-up exam is not warranted, you may replace your grade on one missed exam with your un-scaled percentage score on the final
exam.
Special Accommodations:
Students with
disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are
encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of
Disability Services at 477-4318 (Voice) or
1-800-627-3529
(MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations
are implemented in a timely fashion.
Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own
work. You may work with others and get help on assignments, but the work
you submit must be your own. During exams and quizzes you will not
be allowed to get help from others. Cheating and plagiarism will not be
tolerated in any course at any level. See the MSUM Academic Honesty
policy for more information on the possible consequences of cheating.
Copying
solutions from the back of the textbook or the student solutions manual is
considered plagiarism and will be dealt with accordingly.
Thanks,
And Let’s Have A Great Semester!!
Math
310 – Section 01 Course Page