Instructor: Martha O'Kennon, Palenske 305.  
Office hours:  MWF 1:10 - 2:00, or by appointment (please make or verify appointments by e-mail)
E-mail:  mokennon@albion.edu

Text:  Discrete Mathematics With Applications (Second Edition) by Susanna Epp, Brooks-Cole, 1995

About this course.  Although this course has minimal formal prerequisites, I would say a course like calculus 141 where you were required to demonstrate some basic grasp of what constitutes a logical argument, or computer science 171, in which you built up your ability to solve problems, would be fine.  However, this course is meant to be a bridge to courses which involve even more rigorous proof techniques and problem solving, such as Math 236, 335, or CS 358, for example.   In it, you will be practising mathematical writing, following and creating mathematical proofs, and getting some appreciation for the variety of environments in which mathematics forms a basic background for understanding complex processes...

Attendance is mandatory. You are responsible for all material covered in class, whether or not it is in the book.  

No make-up exams will be given. If you must miss an exam due to a death in the family or serious medical problem beyond your control, I will base your grade for the material on that exam on your final exam and other work in the class. You must pass the final exam to pass the course.

You should count on reading a couple of hours between classes.  Mathematics is by its very nature cumulative, and requires pre-reading, class attendance and participation, and frequent (daily is best) review of the full semester's work.  A teacher of mine suggested that studying for the final starts the first day of class, and I frequently found that advice came in very handy...   Come and ask me questions in a timely manner (after you have put in some effort to understand the material).  I will be available by appointment for help on homework, or at the posted office hours.  I hope you will find this course challenging, stimulating and a gateway to the rest of your mathematical career.  

How your grade is computed.  Exercises will be assigned from each chapter, and will be collected weekly.  Exercises will contribute up to 25 points toward your final mark. There may be one or more projects assigned.   Projects will contribute up to 25 points, depending on how many there are.  There will be three tests (each worth 20 points) and a final exam (worth 30 points).  Some of these tests may be take-home and may or may not be group efforts.  At the end of the term, I will compute a weighted average, and final grades are assigned according to the following table.   Please note that the grade of 4.0 is reserved for students who have, in the words of the Academic Catalog, "independently sought out and used additional related materials, demonstrating the ability to discover new data, to develop new insights, and to bring them to bear on the work at hand."  Projects to satisfy this requirement are outlined in the text, but if you find something related that interests you, check it out with me.

4.0         See above
3.7         88-93%
3.3         84-87%
3.0         80-83%
2.7         78-79%
2.3         74-77%
2.0         70-73%
1.7         68-69%
1.3         64-67%
1.0         60-63%

Board Points. I will keep track of your trips to the board to present problems in a clear and understandable manner.  Each 5 board points will contribute 2 percentage points to be added to your final average, and will earn you a handsome certificate.  You may earn up to two certificates, but of course participate as much as you like!

Tentative Syllabus:

Week 1  (begins Monday, January 13): 1.1 - 1. 4
Week 2  (Tuesday, January 21): 1.5 - 2.2 (Monday is MLK Holiday)
Week 3 (January 27):  2.3 - 3.3
Week 4 (Feb. 3):  3.4 - 3.
Week 5 (Feb. 10):  Review, Test #1 , 4.1 - 4.2
Week 6 (Feb. 17):  4.3 - 5.2
Week 7 (Feb. 24):  5.3 - 6.2
Week 8 (Mar. 3): 6.3 - 6.6
(Spring Break: Monday, March 10- Friday, March 14)
Week 9 (Mar. 17):  6.7, Review, Test #2 , 7.1
Week 10 (Mar. 24):  7.2 - 7.4
Week 11 (Mar. 31):  7.5 - 8.2
Week 12 (Apr. 7):  10.1 - 10.3
Week 13 (Apr. 14):  10.5, Review,  test #3 (Wednesday, April 16)
(Note: afternoon classes canceled for Good Friday, April 18)
Week 14 (Apr. 21): 11.1 - 11.3
Week 15 (May 1): 11.4, Review for Final
Final Exam: Tuesday, May 6  7:00 P.M. -  9:00 P.M