MAT293 – Art of Mathematical Thinking: Introduction to Proof

Course Description: A course designed to introduce the freshman/sophomore level mathematics major to the different types of basic proof methods employed in many upper-division courses. Also, we want to expose the student to some of the more common typesetting tools used in the mathematics profession.

Course Objectives: In this condensed course, the student will learn to

1. recognize different proof techniques;

2. analyze mathematical situations;

3. read and write mathematical ideas carefully, and

4. use different typesetting tools used in mathematics.

Course Grades: Grades will be based on exams and homework/participation. They will broken down into the following values:

Exams/Quizzes 4 @20% ea 80%

Homework/Participation 20%

Homework: If you’ve been in my class before, you know that I am not one who worries an inordinate amount about the “right answer”. Mathematics is much more than the underlined part at the end of the problem. This is a proof oriented class. This means that the work you turn in must hold an amount of “mathematical rigor”. Meaning every solution must clearly move from the assumptions and definitions to the result of the problem. This is not easy. In fact, it is not unusual to make “drafts” of solutions. Our goal in this class is to work on the techniques and to (hopefully) make you comfortable with these techniques. I cannot stress enough about the importance of this facet to being a mathematician. It is an extension to who we are and manifests itself through clear and coherent written arguments.

Each homework problem will be graded using the following rubric.

4 pts – Problem is done correctly. No fault in logic nor method. Explanation is clear and concise.

3 pts – Problem has minor flaws. Explanation is not as clear as could have been.

2 pts – Correct ideas, but poor execution. No or little explanation.

1 pts – Some signs of direction, but lack of understanding.

0 pts – Did not attempt problem or showed NO lack of effort.

Course Schedule: Monday through Thursday will be lecture days. There will be time to go over homework and clear up questions from the previous days lecture. Exams/Quizzes (depends how you view them) will be on Fridays, typically after a review and minor points of clarification. My goal for material is to cover 3 chapters per week (so Chapter 1, 2 and 3 for the first week). This also means the last week will cover 4 chapters (but Chapter 13 is a summary).

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance and participation is encouraged and expected. You may read USF’s policy at www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/attendancepolicy.htm.

Academic Honesty Statement: We encourage you to collaborate and assist each other. However, that assistance should be a knowledge exchange, not the replication of the work of another. Plagiarism (with or without the permission of the originator) defeats the learning process and jeopardizes your success in the course. Copying homework and/or exams of another is dishonest and a violation of the ethical standards of USF (www.usiouxfalls.edu/stuserv/misconduct.htm). Allowing your work to be copied by another is equally a violation. Penalties will include no homework/exam credit for either student. All students who observe an incident of cheating have an obligation to confidentially report such to the instructor.

Disability Services Statement: (Text supplied by USF) The University of Sioux Falls is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with physical, learning, and/or other types of disabilities. Accommodations for students with disabilities are made only in consultation with the Coordinator of Disability Services, so if you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this or any course, please contact Ms. Libby Larson, Coordinator of Disability Services. Ms. Larson will work with you to secure proper documentation and to help you arrange appropriate accommodations with your instructors. Ms. Larson's office is on the lower level of the Salsbury Student Union, and her phone number is 331-6740.

Status of Syllabus: This syllabus results from the instructor’s effort to represent fairly the plan for this course. Circumstances may cause the instructor to make changes in the plan, but such changes will not be capricious and will be made in a timely fashion. Please speak with your instructor if there is anything in the syllabus about which you are unclear.