• Instructor: L. Peterson
• Section information: Section 1, call number 62880, 8:00 A.M.-8:50 A.M., MWF, Witmer 302.
• Prerequisites: Math 103 (College Algebra), Math 107 (Precalculus), or an appropriate score on the placement test administered by the Mathematics Department.
• Office: 322 Witmer Hall. You may leave messages for me in the Math Office, Room 313, Witmer Hall.
• Office hours: Feel free to drop in anytime during normal business hours. If I am available and not overly busy, then I can meet with you. I will announce my formal office hours in class and post them on my Web site. Please fill in the information below.
  • Mondays:

  • Tuesdays:

  • Wednesdays:

  • Thursdays:

  • Fridays:

  These office hours apply to all days on which classes are in session. These office hours do not apply during university recesses and holidays, on Reading and Review Day (May 6, 2005), or during final exam week.
• Phone numbers: 777-4609 (office), 795-8984 (home), 777-2881 (Mathematics office)
• E-mail address: lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
• URL:http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/lapeters. This syllabus appears on my Web site. Use of the Web is optional. I will announce all assignments in class as well as on the Web.
• Textbook: We will use the lecture notes entitled “Math 208: Discrete Mathematics,” developed by the Mathematics Department at the University of North Dakota. We will use the version dated “Spring 2004.” These notes should be available at the Barnes & Noble bookstore for a modest charge.
• Computers: You do not have to buy a computer or a graphing calculator for this course. I will not allow you to use computers or calculators during exams.
• Homework: I will assign homework regularly, collect it on announced due dates, and grade selected problems. You may discuss your assignments with each other, and you may come to me for help. Do not copy the solutions of another student, however.
• Homework due dates: I will collect homework in class on the announced due dates. Homework is not actually due until 4:15 P.M. on the announced due date, however. You may hand homework in to me or to the secretary in the Mathematics office. Homework that you hand in after the deadline but before 4:15 P.M. on the next business day will receive fifty percent credit.
• Course content: We will study logic, mathematical reasoning, sets, functions, algorithms, computational complexity, recursion, permutations, combinations, relations, and other topics as time permits.
• Nature of the course: Much of what we do in this course will involve the idea of a mathematical proof. In your homework assignments and on exams, you will often be asked to write out proofs of mathematical statements. This may be a challenge for many of you, since most introductory mathematics courses focus on computations and problem solving, in contrast to mathematical proofs. One of the purposes of the course is to help you learn how to understand and write mathematical proofs. %
• Course objectives: The specific course objectives are as follows:
  • To develop the student's ability to understand and write mathematical proofs.
  • To provide the student with some of the background in discrete mathematics that will be necessary in subsequent mathematics and computer science courses.
• Exams: There will be three midterm exams and one final exam. The midterm exams will occur in class during regular class periods. The final exam will be comprehensive with an emphasis on the material that we cover after the third midterm. I will announce firm exam dates in class.
• Grading:
  • Midterm exams: 60%
  • Final exam: 25%
  • Homework: 15%
• Grading scale: 90% A, 80% B, 70% C, 60% D.
• Study time: Many of you may find that this is a difficult course. Please spend at least two hours of study outside of class for each hour of class. If you have done all of the assigned homework, then study your notes. Feel free to do extra problems in addition to those that I assign.
• Tutorial help: You can come to see me in my office for help with questions or difficulties that you may have. Tutorial help is also available in the Mathematics Learning Center (Room 312, Witmer Hall) and in the University Learning Center (Room 201A, Memorial Union).
• Absences from exams: If you will be absent from an exam, call me in advance.
• Attendance policy: I want you to succeed in this course. Please attend all class sessions if possible. Please be respectful and considerate of the professor and of other students in the class.
• Changes to policies: Course policies, including all policies described in this syllabus, are subject to change. I will announce any changes to the policies.
• Comments and concerns: Let me know if you have any comments about the class. If you have emergency medical information to share with me, if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, or if you need accommodations in this course because of a disability, please make an appointment with me. If you plan to request disability accommodations, you are expected to register with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office (190 McCannel Hall, 777-3425 voice/TDD).

         Jan. 12:  Chapter 1              Mar. 7:   Chapter 21
         Jan. 14:  Chapter 2              Mar. 9:   Chapter 22
                                          Mar. 11:  Chapters 23, 24
         Jan. 19:  Chapter 3            
         Jan. 21:  Chapter 4              Mar. 21:  Chapter 25
                                          Mar. 23:  Chapter 26
         Jan. 24:  Chapters 5, 6           
         Jan. 26:  Chapter 7              Mar. 30:  Chapter 26
         Jan. 28:  Chapters 8, 9          Apr. 1:   Chapter 27
                                      
         Jan. 31:  Chapter 10             Apr. 4:   Chapter 28
         Feb. 2:   Review                 Apr. 6:   Chapter 29
         Feb. 4:   Exam I                 Apr. 8:   Chapter 30
                                     
         Feb. 7:   Chapter 11             Apr. 11:  Chapter 31
         Feb. 9 :  Chapters 12, 13        Apr. 13:  Review
         Feb. 11:  Chapters 14, 15        Apr. 15:  Exam III
                                      
         Feb. 14:  Chapter 16             Apr. 18:  Chapter 32
         Feb. 16:  Chapter 16             Apr. 20:  Chapter 33
         Feb. 18:  Chapter 16             Apr. 22:  Chapter 34
                                      
         Feb. 23:  Chapter 17             Apr. 25:  Chapter 34
         Feb. 25:  Chapter 18             Apr. 27:  Chapters 35, 36
                                          Apr. 29:  Chapter 36
         Feb. 28:  Chapter 19            
         Mar. 2:   Review                 May  2:   Chapter 37
         Mar. 4:   Exam II                May  4:   Review

Note: We will skip Chapter 20.

• Final exam: The final exam for this course will occur at the following time in the usual classroom:

  3:15 P.M.-5:15 P.M., Wednesday, May 11, 2005.

Lawrence J. Peterson home page

Mathematics Computer Lab home page

Department of Mathematics home page

University of North Dakota home page

Contact Person: Larry Peterson
E-mail: lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
Phone: (701) 777-4609
Date of most recent update: 7 January 2005
University of North Dakota home page