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Syllabus for Math 221: Foundations of Mathematics, Fall 2000, Central College.
Jump to the class schedule and assignments section.

Professor: Tom Linton, 312 B Central Hall, campus phone (641) 628-5264, email: lintont@central.edu.
Office Hours: 10 AM Mon and Fri, 1 PM Tues and Wed, or by appointment.
Class Meets: 9:00 to 9:50 AM MWF in Central Hall 308.
Text: Mathematical Structures for Computer Science, 4th Edition, by Judith Gersting.

Course overview

Foundations is a course that examines the mathematics of logic and proof as well as structures (sets, relations, functions, trees) encountered in other computer science and mathematics courses. We will cover most of the first five chapters in the text. By the end of the semester, you will be prepared to learn advanced technical material in almost any area of mathematics or computer science.

Grades

We will have two or three midterm exams worth 100 points each and a cumulative 150 point final exam given Tuesday, December 19, at 8 AM. The midterm exams will occur roughly September 25, October 23 and December 1.

We may have 1 or 2 group projects in this class, worth 50 points each. These are challenging group assignments, similar to tough take-home exam problems, which require word processed write ups and emphasize writing mathematics in a clear and concise manner. You will be given approximately 2 weeks to complete each project.

I will attempt to assign roughly 300 points in homework assignments, quizzes (normally announced), activities (things we do in class instead of lecture) and other forms of class participation (attendance, explaining your solutions to homework problems, discussions, etc.). Homework is probably the most important component of this course. Problems will be assigned each day and designated as either board problems or hand-in problems. Solutions to the board problems will be presented (by you, at the board) at the beginning of the next class period.

Grades (based on the letter, or A, A-, B+, B, B-, . . . system) will be based on a curve (no stricter than the traditional 90, 80, 70, 60 scheme) of the (approximately) 850 total points in the class (450 exams, 100 projects, 300 other). There is no extra credit for this class. You are encouraged to work together on group assignments (including homework), but copying answers of others is not allowed and will result in no credit.

If any student has a physical, learning or psychiatric disability that restricts the development or expression of your gifts, please feel free to let me know so that we can, when possible, make accommodations that will enhance your classroom experience.

Late assignments and academic dishonesty

Late homework, activities, and projects will be penalized by 10% each lecture they are late, up to the date I return the graded assignments. Once I have returned an assignment (normally this will occur one or two class periods after I collect it), you will no longer receive credit for handing that assignment in. I am fairly flexible about giving exams at alternate times, BUT you should definitely warn me before the exam is missed, and plan on taking it early rather than late. Quizzes missed due to absences can NOT be made up. You are responsible for all of the material covered in class each day, even if you are not present.

Plagiarism, or copying answers from other people or books without citing the source is a serious offense and will result in no credit for the work.  It is OK to discuss your answers with other groups on group assignments, but  the work you turn in must be your own.

Schedule

Relevant information will be added this schedule as we progress through the semester. An up to date version is available on line at http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont/classes/fall00/foundations/221syll.html#schedule. The board problem assignemnt is in bold.
 
WEEK
DATES
 SECTION(S) ASSIGNMENTS
   1
8-30 to 9-1
 1.1 1.1#1,2,6,7,10,
   8abc,11abcfg,13,17,19
   2
9-6 to 9-8
 1.2 1.2#2,3,5,9,13,
   17,22,25,31,37
   3
9-11 to 9-15
add-drop ends
 1.3 1.3#1,3,7,9
   10,13,14,15abc,16ab
  4
9-18 to 22
 1.4 1.4# 1,3,5,6,12
  5
9-25 to 29
 exam 1 MineSweeper activity
  6
10-2 to 6
 2.1 2.1#1,2,4,7,11
   16,21,30,32,36
  7
10-9 to 13
 2.2 2.2#2,7,13,20,24
 6,16,27,37,57
  8
10-16 to 18
 2.4 2.4#2,3,5,8
 17,28,33,34,41,48,70
Mathematica recursion sheet
  9
10-23 to 27
 3.1 3.1#2,6,7,9,17
 23,35,42,56ef,71,75
 10
 10-30 to 11-3
 3.2  3.2#4,5,12,16,24,28
 36,37,46,50,53,56,61,63
 11
11-6 to 10
 3.3, 3.4 3.3#1,6,7,8,13
 4,10,16,18,20
 12
11-13 to 17
 3.4, 3.5 3.4#1,4,6,8,11,14,15,17,21,22
 26,28,40,42,52,53,60,64,68,72
 13
11-20 to 22
    
  12-19 (Tues) 8 AM Final Exam Cumulative 150 point final.

This personal page is maintained by Tom Linton, email: lintont@central.edu. Last updated November 13, 2000.

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this page are the responsibility of Tom Linton and do not necessarily reflect Central College  policies or official positions."