2026 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2111.001

Basic Concepts of Math

4

In person

MWF 9:20 - 10:30AM

Wachman 015

Krishan Canzius

krishancanzius@temple.edu

Wachman 1021

Mon: 4:00 - 5:00PM (in person)

Tue: 6:00 - 7:00PM (on Zoom) 

Wed. 10:45 - 11:45AM (in person)

Textbook: Mathematics: A Discrete Introduction 3rd ed. by Edward Scheinerman. Students must have access to the third edition.

Used copies can be found on Amazon for roughly $30 and electronic copies can be found through a variety of sources.

Homework: 20%; Quizzes: 15%; Midterms 1 2 and 3: 15% each; Final: 20%. Letter Grades: 93-100 A, 90-92 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. 

 

A minimum grade of C- or C is required to move on to more advanced math courses. Required grades for specific courses can be found at bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/courses/math/

Minimum grade of C (except where noted) in (Math 1042, Math 1942, Math 1951, any Math course numbered 2043 to 2110 (C- or higher; may be taken concurrently), any Math course numbered 2112 to 3080 (C- or higher; may be taken concurrently), 'Y' in MA07, 'Y' in MATW, 'Y' in CRMA09, or 'Y' in CRMA11)

Students should demonstrate clear and precise writing of mathematical proofs featuring a variety of proof techniques. Students should demonstrate understanding of key concepts, techniques, and theorems about sets, number theory, functions, limits, sequences and series, which are fundamental to much of modern mathematics. Students should demonstrate effective collaboration with their classmates in understanding mathematics and solving mathematics problems.

This is a course designed to introduce students to mathematical abstraction and the language of mathematical proof. Topics include logic, sets, relations, integers, induction and modular arithmetic, functions, and cardinality. It will also cover inequalities and limits of sequences and functions. This course is highly recommended for students who have not been exposed to mathematical proof and intend to take advanced math courses.

All quizzes and exams will be held in class.

 

Quizzes: every other Friday; Midterm 1: February 20; Midterm 2: March 20; Midterm 3: April 10; Final: April 27

 

Quizzes and exams will only be rescheduled in exceptional circumstances.

Regular attendance is crucial for performing well in the course. Please inform your instructor if you will be missing multiple class meetings. You are responsible for keeping up with course materials and deadlines via the Canvas page.

You will need access to the internet to view the assigned homework. You will need access to a device with a keyboard to type homework solutions, or access to a smartphone or similar device to upload photos of your homework.

All course materials and assignments will be available on the Canvas page for this course. Check Canvas frequently for course materials, assignments, and announcements.

There will be homework due every two weeks. The problems will take some time to compete, so please make sure to start early.

 

You are encouraged to discuss the problems with other students and get hints in office hours, from a tutor, or elsewhere, but you should write all solutions yourself in your own words. Work copied from another student or from any other source will not be accepted.

Make-ups for missed quizzes and exams can be arranged if prior notice of a compelling reason is given (inform me at least a day in advance) or in cases of documented emergencies (contact me as soon as possible after the emergency).

To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to the course requirements. However, if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as you are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. 

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 Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (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 (opens in new tab/window).

Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) 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 use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

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).

The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window): 
    The Math Consulting Center 
    Student Success Center 
    University Libraries 
    Undergraduate Research Support 
    Career Center 
    Tuttleman Counseling Services 
    Disability Resources and Services 
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.