M325K Discrete Mathematics, Spring 2012
Unique number 55595
TTh 2:30-3:15, RLM 7.124
Textbook:
Discrete Mathematics with Applications, Fourth Edition, Epp
(Go to http://www.cengage.com/math/epp for non-hardcopy options.)
Course website: https://courses.utexas.edu (Also known as “Blackboard.”)
Instructor:
Dr. Shinko Harper
Office:
RLM 13.160, ph. 232-6194
E-mail:
[email protected]
(Note: Using e-mail is probably the best way to get in touch with me.)
Office hours:
TTh 9:45-11:15
Prerequisite
M408D, M408L, or M408S with a grade of at least C-, or consent of instructor.
Overview
This is a first course that emphasizes understanding and creating proofs of mathematical theorems. It provides a
transition from the problem-solving approach of calculus to the entirely rigorous approach of advanced courses such
as M365C (Real Analysis I) or M373K (Algebraic Structures I).
Grading
The grade in this course will be based on three midterm exams (20% each), homework (10%), and the final exam
(30%). The letter grades will be determined as follows:
Letter Grade A A-­‐ B+ B B-­‐ C+ C C-­‐ D+ D D-­‐ F Greater than or equal to 92.5 90 87.5 82.5 80 77.5 72.5 70 67.5 62.5 60 0 Strictly less than 92.5 90 87.5 82.5 80 77.5 72.5 70 67.5 62.5 60 Exams
In principle, no make-up or early exams are given. If you miss a midterm, your final exam will be substituted for
the missed test (thus, the final exam would count for 50%). This can be done for at most one midterm. The final
exam is comprehensive and mandatory although an exemption may be granted for spectacular performance.
Exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on the performance on the three midterms, homework, and
class participation.
Exam dates
Midterms:
Final:
Thursday February 23rd, Thursday March 22nd, Tuesday April 17th.
Saturday, May 12th (2 pm – 5 pm). Location TBD.
Homework
Usually, I will collect homework on Thursdays. Homework will be posted on the web at https://courses.utexas.edu
in the “assignments folder”. You need to staple together all the pages, fold it vertically, and write your name, course
number (“M325K”), and instructor name (“Harper”) on both the outside and inside. Homework must be turned in
by 3:15 pm, either directly to me at the beginning or end of class, or at my office. Select problems will be graded.
No late homework will be accepted! The three lowest homework grades will be dropped at the end of the
semester. Illegible homework will not be graded. No credit given for unsupported answers. This means that
all work should be shown, neatly and logically, using correct notation.
Pop quizzes
Possibly. Each quiz will count as a homework grade.
Attendance
As with many college classes, this class will not take attendance. However, I will conduct class on the assumption
that you are attending every minute of every lecture. If you miss a lecture, you should obtain the notes from a
classmate. You are responsible for all material covered in each class.
Adding and Dropping Courses - Note the new one-time drop policy!
The academic calendar for each semester is provided at: http://registrar.utexas.edu/calendars/11-12. The College of
Natural Sciences adheres strictly to the published deadlines of the University.
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4th class day: Dropping courses electronically: During the first four class days, students may add and
drop courses with the Registrar’s online registration service, ROSE (Jan 20, 2012).
12th class day: Dropping a class with possible refund: During days five through twelve (February 1,
2012) students may drop courses online, but must go to the department offering the course to seek
permission to add a course. Be advised that some departments do not allow adds/drops after the fourth
class day. For those departments that do allow adds/drops, the add-transactions before the twelfth class day
will be processed in the respective department. Students who wish to add a class after the twelfth class day
should be required to go to the Student Division of the Dean's Office (first floor of W. C. Hogg) to provide
justification for the proposed change. The student must have written permission and documentation of class
attendance from the instructor and departmental approval.
49th class day: Last day to drop a course with approval: After the 12th day of class, and until the
deadline for dropping courses (April 2, 2012), a student wishing to drop a course will get the forms from
the Dean's Office (WCH 1.106) or their departmental advising center and ask the instructor to sign the drop
form. Instructors are also asked to indicate on this form the grade (A-F) that the student has earned in the
class up to this point. In contrast to previous years, instructors are not asked or able to assign a Q vs. F on
this form; henceforth the students are completing this paperwork for a Q-drop.
Nonacademic Q-drop: After the last day for academic Q-drop students with substantiated nonacademic
reasons (as determined by the Dean’s Office) may be allowed to drop a course. Faculty will be asked to
provide information on student performance up to the time of the nonacademic Q-drop request but are not
responsible for making the decision about assigning a grade of Q. Please encourage students who
experience significant nonacademic problems such as extended health-related problems or family
emergencies to contact the Dean’s Office.
New One-time Drop Policy: Beginning this year, students have the option once in their undergraduate
degree to drop a class or drop out of all classes in a semester right up till the last class day. This new policy
was proposed and approved by UT Faculty Council on May 9, 2011, and more information is available at
http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/2010-2011/legislation/EPC_OTE.html.
According to the
policy as approved by the Provost, a student who has completed at least two long semesters here at UT can
drop a class only if he or she has an average grade of D+ or below in the class at the time of the request and
if there are no pending investigations of scholastic dishonesty for the course in question.
Students with Disabilities
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified
students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, video
phone (866) 329-3986, http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/ . If you plan on using accommodations, you need
to notify me early in the semester.
Accommodations for Religious Holidays
By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of
observance of a religious holy day. (For religious holidays that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, the
notice should be given on the first day of the semester.) If you must miss a class, an examination, a work
assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the
missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.
M325K Tentative Schedule (This schedule is subject to change!)
Month Jan Feb March Date (Day) 17 (T) 19 (Th) 24 (T) 26 (Th) 31 (T) 2 (Th) 7 (T) 9 (Th) 14 (T) 16 (Th) 21 (T) 23 (Th) 28(T) 1 (Th) 6 (T) 8 (Th) 13 (T) 15(Th) 20 (T) 22 (Th) 27 (T) 29 (Th) April May 3 (T) 5 (Th) 10 (T) 12 (Th) 17 (T) 19 (Th) 24 (T) 26 (Th) 1 (T) 3 (Th) 12 (Sat) Content 1.1, 1.2 2.1 2.1, 2.2 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 3.1, 3.2 3.3, 3.4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.6 Midterm 1 4.6, 4.7 5.1 5.2 5.3 Spring break. No class. Spring break. No class. 5.6 Midterm 2 5.4 5.4 (Last day for academic drop is 4/2) 6.1 6.2, 6.3 6.3 Chapter 10 Midterm 3 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Last class day Final exam