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Course description

As a component of the computer science curriculum, this course strongly emphasizes learning how to think abstractly and how to make and write proofs. MCS 236 and MCS 256 (Discrete Mathematics) together introduce much of the material traditionally called "discrete mathematics," providing a strong mathematical foundation for the in-depth study of computer science. Mathematicians will find the course to be of interest in its own right.

Instructor: John Holte

Office: Olin 307
Telephone: x7465
Office hours: M 1:30-2:20; T 9:00-9:50; W 10:30-11:20, 12:-30-1:20; R 1:30-2:20
Feel free to see me at other times as well.
E-mail: holte@gac.edu
My homepage: http://www.gac.edu/~holte
Course homepage: http://www.gac.edu/~holte/courses/mcs236/fall00

Textbooks

• Discrete Mathematical Structures, 4th edition
  by Bernard Kolman, Robert C. Busby, and Sharon Cutler Ross
  Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2000
• A Writer's Reference
  by Diana Hacker
  Bedford Books, Boston

Class meetings

12:30-1:20 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Classroom: Olin 320
Regular attendance, both physical and mental, is required.
If you have a disability that requires an accommodation, please see me as soon as possible.

MCS 236 Syllabus--Fall 2000

Week	Class Dates	Sections	Topics	Tests
1-2	Sept. 7-15	Chapter 1	Fundamentals
3	Sept. 18-22	Chapter 2	Logic and proofs
4	Tuesday Sept. 26			Test 1
4-5	Sept. 28-29 Oct. 2-6	Writing Chapter 3	Nobel Oct. 3-4 Counting
6-7	Oct. 9-19	4.1-4.6	Relations and digraphs
7	Thursday Oct. 19			Test 2
7-8	Oct. 20-23	Fall	Reading	Break
8	Oct. 24-27	4.7-4.8 Writing	Relations, Warshall's algorithm
9	Oct. 30-Nov. 3	Chapter 5	Functions
10-11	Nov. 6-17	Chapter 6 7.1	Order relations & structures Trees
12	Tuesday Nov. 21			Test 3
12	Nov. 23-24	Thanksgiving	Break
13	Nov. 27-Dec. 1	Chapter 7	Trees
14-15	Dec. 4-12	Chapter 8	Graph theory
15	Friday Dec. 15	8:00-10:00		Final examination

This is a tentative syllabus. Changes may be made during the semester.

Problem assignments

Homework and collaborative learning

I encourage you to work with other students in learning the material, both in class and on homework, provided that you do so in such a way that everyone in your group learns the material. You should write your solutions neatly and show clearly how you get your answers, at least in nontrivial problems. Your write-ups should be done independently, in your own words; solutions should not be copied from someone else's paper. You must give credit to those who helped you, including fellow students, and if you get part of your solution from any text (including ours) or internet source, you must cite it so that it can be traced.

Homework rules

• Acknowledge your sources (people and texts).
• In nontrivial problems, show how you get your answers.
• Turn in neat, well-written solutions, not messy first drafts. Trim "fringes."
• Do not copy collaborative solutions; write up solutions in your own words.
• Turn in homework on time. Each class day late reduces the possible points by 25%.
• Do extra credit problems entirely on your own.

Academic honesty

Page 31 of the Gustavus Adolphus College Academic Bulletin states in part: "The faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College expects all students to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty... In all academic exercises, examinations, papers, and reports, students shall submit their own work. Footnotes or some other acceptable form of citation must accompany any use of another's words or ideas." See pp. 68-69 of the Gustavus Guide for details.

Writing

1. Proof portfolio--up to two revisions allowed
   1. Direct proof
   2. Proof by contrapositive
   3. Proof by contradiction
   4. Weak induction proof
   5. Strong induction proof
   6. Proof by cases
   7. Existence proof
   8. Other
2. Short report (2 pages)--first draft & final copy In fall 2000, this will be a report on a Nobel Conference lecture or an essay on the role of computers in globalization.
3. A long paper (5-10 pages)--first draft & final copy This paper should be on a topic related to MCS-236 but not covered in class. It should include an explanation of the proof of a substantial mathematical result in the student's own words.
4. PROSE writing

Make-up policy

Make-up exams will not be given except for medical or family emergency reasons. Students who will be absent from an exam for a school-sponsored event should arrange with me in advance to have an exam sent along with the coach. If you miss a class for any reason, you are still responsible for learning what was covered in class and for getting any homework that is due turned in on time. If there is a compelling reason for granting an extension, you must negotiate the arrangements with me. Late homework will be penalized as stated under Homework rules.

Grading

Assuming satisfactory attendance, your work will be weighted as follows:

• 20%	Problem assignments
  20%	Writing	7% portfolio + 3% short report + 10% long paper
  50%	Tests	15% each for best 3; 5% for lowest score
  10%	Participation and performance


 
• The following factors contribute to participation and performance.

  Positives	Negatives
  Faithful attendance This counts a lot!	Missing classes, tardiness
  Being prepared	Being unprepared
  Paying attention in class	Not paying attention, sleeping, doing something else, talking while the prof is talking
  Contributing to class discussions	Disruptive behavior
  Asking relevant questions-- I am impressed when I am asked more often about points of mathematics than points of grading.
  Answering questions in class, whether asked aloud or on a quiz	Not knowing the answers
  Curiosity, appreciation, cheerfulness	Apathy, resentment, sullenness
  Turning work in on time	Turning work in late
  Neat, well-written work	Messy work
  Working hard	Hardly working
  Improvement during the term, overcoming setbacks	Going downhill
  Attendance the day before and the day after a break	Skipping class the day before or the day after a break