2019 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2111.001
Course: Mathematics 2111.001.
Course Title: Basic Concepts of Math.
Time: TR 15:30-16:50.
Place: WCHMAN 009.
Instructor: Boris A. Datskovsky.
Instructor Office: WCHMAN 632.
Instructor Email: boris.datskovsky@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-7847.
Office Hours: TR 12:00-13:30.
Prerequisites: Math 1042 (0086), Calculus II, or equivalent transfer.
Textbook: Tamara J. Lakins, The Tools of Mathematical Reasoning, American Mathematical Society, Providence, Rhode Island, 2016.
Course Goals: The object of this course is to introduce students to proofs and mathematical reasoning and to develop some basic habits necessary for presenting well written mathematical arguments.
Topics Covered: We will cover topics from logic, set theory, number theory, and modern algebra that can be found in Chapters 1-5, 7 and, if time allows, 8 in the book. We will also try to cover some additional topics of less discrete nature, such as limits of sequences and real valued functions of a real variable.
Course Grading: Your grade will be based on two midterms, the final, homework quizzes, and homework assignments. The midterms will count for 21% each, the final for 28%, the homework quizzes for 15%, and the homework assignments for the remaining 15% of your grade. Homework quizzes will be administered approximately every third class. They will be based on the homework, assigned during the previous three classes. Your worst quiz score will be dropped and the rest of the scores averaged to obtain your quiz score.
Exam Dates: Test 1: Thursday, October 3. Test 2: Thursday, November 14. Final: Thursday, December 12 13:00-15:00.
Attendance Policy: You are allowed up to 4 unexcused absences during the semester. After that, you grade will be reduced by one notch, say from B to B-, for every 4 additional unexcused absences or a portion thereof.
Homework: Homework will be assigned at the end of every class, but will not be collected. Instead, every two weeks I will give you a homework assignment consisting of selected homework problems that I will collect. The homework will then be graded and returned to you for revisions. It is extremely important that you do all of your homework, collected and uncollected, as the quizzes and the exams will be based on all the homework. I will begin every class by answering homework questions. Please be prepared to ask them.
Calculator Policy: No calculators are allowed in class or on the tests.
Num.-to-Letter-Grade Scale: 93-100 A, 9-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C-, 65-69 D+, 55-64 D, 50-54 D-, 0-49 F.
Make Up Tests: Make up tests will only be given in cases of documented emergencies. A student cannot make up a test after the graded test was returned. You must contact me by e-mail as soon as possible in case of a missed test. Tardiness in doing so may result in your not being able to make up the test even if you have a legitimate reason for missing it.
Electronic Devices: All electronic devices, including cell phones, calculators, and computers, must be turned off or put into silent mode and stowed out of sight for the duration of the class.
Text Book: An e-version of the textbook for this course is available from Temple University Libraries at https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/templeuniv-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4940239 We will also use Edward R. Scheinerman, Mathematics, A Discrete Introduction, Brooks Cole Publishing Co., 3rd edition, as a source of supplemental problems for this course.
Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in 100 Ritter Annex (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.
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. Check the University calendar for exact dates.
During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (Opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)
The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)