Office Hours: TWR 2-3pm or by appointment. Homework help
session every Wednesday 2-3pm at Jones 131.
Text: Mathematical Proofs--A Transitioon to Advanced
Mathematics by Gary Chartrand, Albert D. Polilmeni, and Ping Zhang.
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-39053-0.
Course goal: The primary goal is to learn how to read and
write rigourous and sophisticated mathematical statements and proofs.
An integral part of this goal is mastering mathematical fundamentals
such as logic, sets, functions, relations and numbers. Examples and
problems are drawn in such a way to survey some different branches of
"higher" mathematics.
Advice to students:
Excellent advice on how to be successful in the course can be found in this
document by Professor Doug West, a mathematics professor at the
University of Illinois.
Tests: There will be two mid-term exams: the tentative
dates are Oct 4 (Tuesday) and Nov 17 (Thursday). Make-up
tests are only given in extreme circumstances such as documented
serious illness or personal circumstance. I must review such cases prior
to the start of the test.
Final
Exam: final exam will be held on Tuesday Dec 13
9am-12noon. Location Jones Hall 307.
Homework:
There will be weekly homework assignments. We cannot emphasize the
importance of homework enough. Although understanding material while
you read the text or listen to lecture is certainly important, your
most important studying will be in completing the homework assignments.
Perhaps the most fundamental part of this course is learning how to
write and read precise mathematical ideas. Part of writing precise
mathematical ideas is writing complete sentences with correct grammer.
Homework written incoherently will not be judged complete! Incoherently
includes, but is not limited to, using incomplete sentences, using
incorrect grammer and overusing unneccessary mathematical notation. You
are STRONGLY encouraged to discuss your homework with us prior to
handing in homework. Start homework early and work steadily! Homework
is usually due 5pm Friday. You are
strongly suggested to use Latex to type your homework. Latex is
a programming language to type texts with math content. You need to use
some text editor to compile your .tex file, then use a latex compiler
to typyset your latex file.
Help Session: A weekly homework help session will be
offered
every Wednesday at Jones Hall 131. Time: 2-3pm
Attendance: Regular attendance is critical for your
success in this course. I expect your presence at every lecture.
Grading: Your final grade is calculated as follows:
Mid-semester Tests 20% each
Homework 30%
Final Exam: 30%
The letter grade is assigned using the scale:
A > 93 > A- > 90 > B+ > 87 > B > 83 >
B- > 80> C+ > 77 > C > 73 > C- > 70 > D+ >
67 > D > 63 > D- > 60 > F
Honor Code: Students will uphold William and Mary's stated
honor code as it is written, any infractions will be referred to the
Honor Council.