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Instructor: Andrew Clarke. Office: Math. Tower Rm. 3-103. Email:aclarke at math.sunysb.edu Lecture Times: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 6:00 - 8:15 in Room P117 of the Physics Building, starting Wednesday the 12th of July.The final for the class will be held on Monday the 21st of August in P-117 of the Physics building. Usual restrictions will hold for conduct during the exam. Taking the exam at another time will only be possible with prior notice. Course Description: The basic aim of MAT 200 is to introduce the student to mathematical reasoning and proofs. The course will begin with a discussion of logical language, operations, and rules, as well as their use in mathematical proofs. In particular, we will look at how the truth of a formal statement can imply the truth of another one. We will do this in particular for Propositional and Predicate Calculus. We will then examine how these ideas are used in the context of classical Euclidean geometry, with an emphasis on the interplay between geometric reasoning, language, and formal logic. Finally, we will spotlight the tools used in most modern mathematics: sets, and maps between them. Textbook - The required textbook is Proof, Logic and Conjecture: The Mathematician's Toolbox, by Robert S. Wolf, W.H. Freeman, 1998. This book is available from the university bookstore but I would also look at prices from online retailers.
Homework The assessment for this class will consist of five homeworks, a midterm test and a final exam. It should be emphasised that mathematics is best learned through examples and exercises so making good attempts at the homework problems is very necessary. Students are strongly encouraged to work together on the homeworks and to speak to the instructor during office hours, however just to clarify ideas and not for homwork help. There are some requirements that I place on homeworks. They must be written neatly and coherently. Your name and the homework number must be displayed prominently on the front. The papers must not have tatty edges from being ripped from a book and must be stapled together. These things make them much easier to grade and also much easier to review once you have them back.
Quizzes There will be approximately one quiz per week throughout the term.
Office hours:
Grading - The final grade for this class will be computed from your final exam score, homework and quizzes weighted by the following amounts:
Important : There will be no make-ups for missed homework and quizzes. Calculators Books and other written material are not allowed during exams. Department approved calculators are permitted. If you need to bring a backpack etc. to an exam, you must place it, all pockets and flaps closed in plain sight of the proctors.
Students with disabilities - If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, you are strongly urged to contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services (DSS) office: Room 133 in the Humanities Building; 632-6748v/TDD. The DSS office will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. A written DSS recommendation should be brought to your lecturer who will make a decision on what special arrangements will be made. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Arrangements should be made early in the semester (before the first exam) so that your needs can be accommodated. |