- Instructor:
- Thomas P. Kelliher
Hoffberger 140
Office: (410) 337-6189
Home: (410) 931-2946
Cell: Available upon request.
kelliher[at]goucher.edu
http://phoenix.goucher.edu/~kelliher/
Office hours: MWThF 10:30-11:20am. Other times by appointment.
- Class:
- Hoffberger 135, MWF 11:30am-12:20pm.
http://phoenix.goucher.edu/~kelliher/s2008/ma190/
- Objectives:
One of my favorite sayings is ``Computer science is applied mathematics.''
Software and hardware are only two of the many facets of computer science.
Discrete mathematics is an additional, critical facet. Here's where we
open the mathematical toolbox and learn how to use the tools. Topics to be
studied include: logic, set theory, countability, methods of mathematical
proof (including mathematical induction), growth rate of functions,
recursion and recurrence relations, and graph theory.
- Expectations:
This course is definitely not for the math-phobic. Its design and intent
is to provide computer science majors with the mathematical foundation
necessary for the major. The course's degree of difficulty is comparable
to Calculus I. As with all mathematics, mastery of this material
requires steady dedication; there are no ``shortcuts.''
Placement into the class via the online Mathematics Placement Exam is
required.
- Textbook:
- K. H. Rosen, ``Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications,'' 6th edition,
McGraw Hill, 2007. Required.
- Grading:
- Grade Distribution
A = [92-100],
A- = [90-92),
B+ = [88-90),
B = [82-88),
B- = [80-82),
etc. Grades are ``one point rounded.''
Course Point Distribution
There are tentatively 820 total points for the course:
- Written assignments. Written work will be assigned each class and
collected at the beginning of the next class. No late work will be
accepted, and all work must be turned in in-person. However, the lowest
three assignments will be dropped. Approximately 35 assignments, 10
points each assignment, for a total of 320 points.
- Weekly quizzes. Short quizzes will be given in class those
Wednesdays on which exams aren't scheduled. There will be 11 quizzes,
each worth 10 points. There will be no makeup quizzes, but the lowest
quiz grade will be dropped. 100 points, total.
- Semester exams. There will be two exams, on the following dates:
Feb. 27 and Apr. 9. Each will be worth 100 points. If you need to
re-schedule an exam, it is your responsibility to let me know a few days
beforehand.
- Final. There will be a cumulative final, scheduled by SAS.
The final is worth 200 points.
Current grades (password protected) may be viewed on the class home page.
- Course Handouts:
-
Course handouts will be made available once in class. After that, they may
be obtained from the class home page.
- Attendance:
- Attendance of classes is expected. It is your responsibility to catch up
on missed class work.
- Electronic Communication:
-
From time-to-time, I will need to send e-mail messages to the class. These
messages will be addressed to your official Goucher e-mail addresses. You
are responsible for checking your e-mail on a timely basis.
- Distractions:
- Cell phones must be turned off or set to ``silent'' during class. If you
must enter late, do so as unobtrusively as possible. Likewise if you must
leave early. Please use mental telepathy if you must hold a personal
conference during class. I have ways of making you not talk!
- Integrity:
- Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. We are all bound by the
Academic Honor Code.