Fall 2015 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 4096.001

Course: Mathematics 4096.001.
Course Title: Senior Problem Solving.
Time: TR 3:30-4:50.
Place: Wachman 406.
Instructor: Lorenz, Martin W.
Instructor Office: Wachman 528.
Instructor Email: martin.lorenz@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215.204.5013 (email is preferred).
Office Hours: TR 1:30-2:30 or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Some background in abstract algebra (Math 3096 or 3098) will be useful. However, the foundational material needed for this course will be reviewed.
Textbook: No textbook is required for this course -- there is no single book that covers our selection of topics. Instead, I will make background materials freely available throughout the semester, either on Blackboard or via Email. It is crucial that you take good class notes.
Course Goals: This course teaches some basic skills that are essential for mathematical research. Students will learn about a wide range of topics that are investigated by mathematicians and gain experience in (1) effective written and oral communication of advanced mathematics, (2) reading mathematical research literature, and (3) using state-of-the art technical typesetting (LaTeX), mathematical software (e.g., Sage) and online tools (e.g., MathSciNet).
Topics Covered: I plan to discuss the following broad topics: (1) combinatorics (counting by using generating functions and some probability) (2) some puzzles (e.g., investigating Rubik's cube using group theory) (3) problem solving (e.g., some Putnam problems) and (4) some knot theory. The exact extent of what is covered and the order of topics will depend on how the material is understood by the class. There is no fixed syllabus that we have to get through.
Course Grading: homework 30%, in-class final exam 30%, writing project (with revision) and/or in-class presentation 40%.
Exam Dates: final exam on Thursday 12/10, 1:00-3:00.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. More than 3 unexcused absences will result in a lower grade.
Homework: This is a writing intensive class. I will regularly assign homework, which will be collected and graded, with a maximum of 10 points available for each assignment.You may resubmit a revised version of each assignment and may earn (at most) one additional point per problem for an improved presentation. All homework will have to be submitted in TeX.
Writing Project/Presentation: Students can also earn course credit (40% of the total grade) by either giving a slide presentation on a mathematician or a mathematical topic of their choice (with the instructor's prior approval) or by presenting a solution to one of the many challenge problems that will be posed in class. The written solutions to these problems will go through several revisions until the final version of the solution is approved.
Teaching Assistant: The TA for this course is Dianbin Bao. His office hours are on Monday and Tuesday, 2:30-3:30 in Wachman 521.

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.

Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date given below.

During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.

The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.