Course Syllabus
Math 160 - Logic for Math and CS
Section 1
Spring 2019

Text: Exploring Mathematics: An Engaging Introduction to Proof

The Course: This course will serve as a bridge between calculation based courses and upper division mathematics. We will study the basic building blocks of mathematics: logic, sets, functions and relations. A special emphasis will be placed on written communication of mathematics and the clear and correct writing of proofs. To that end we will look at different proof techniques and learn how and when they should be used.

Reading: Reading your textbook is essential to success in this class. Reading assignments will be included with homework assignments and must be completed before the lecture on that topic. Read slowly with a pencil and paper in hand. Try to fill in missing steps as you read. Always try to work out examples before you read text solutions. You must be ready to discuss the material you read in class, and this will be part of the participation portion of your grade.

Participation: Each student is expected to be a productive member of the class. This means you should attend each class period and be prepared to discuss the material. Excessive absence or unpreparedness will result in deduction of points in this area. Participation will be worth 30 points of your final grade.

Homework: You will be assigned weekly written homework assignments. These homework assignments are where the bulk of your learning will occur and you should set aside a significant amount of time to work on them. Expect to write up your work as a rough draft first and then write up your solution. You are allowed and indeed encouraged to work on your homework with other people, however what you turn in should be your own understanding of how to do the problems and should not just be a copy of someone else’s work. Your homework must follow the homework guidelines . Part of your homework may include reading and commenting on other students’ solutions.

The homework for the course will be worth 150 points of your total grade.

Quizzes: Most weeks that do not include an exam will have a short quiz. The quiz will cover the most recent material from the class and should take no longer than 10-15 minutes. Although these quizzes cannot be made up except in extreme circumstances, one quiz will be dropped so missing one quiz will not greatly affect your grade. Together the quizzes are worth 100 points of your final grade.

Exams: There will be a midterm exam on Tuesday, March 26. A Make-up exam will not be given. If you have a legitimate excuse you may use your final exam score to make up for missing exam score. The midterm will be worth 100 points.
There will be a comprehensive 2 hour final given on Thursday, May 23 at 8 AM. The final is worth 150 points.

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this class students should be able to:

• understand the concepts of sets, functions and their roll in mathematics
• correctly apply theorems of the course in appropriate situations
• understand the importance of abstraction in mathematics
• write clear, coherent and correct proofs of theorems at the level of this course
• identify when mathematical induction is an appropriate technique and use it correctly

Grading: A tentative grading scale is as follows:

This scale may be lowered if it is deemed to be unfair, but is guaranteed not to be raised.

Disability: For accommodations due to a disability please contact me within the first 2 weeks.

Academic Honesty: Cheating and plagiarism are in violation of USD’s academic integrity policy and are taken very seriously. Make sure you are aware of this policy.

Have a Good Semester!