College catalog's course description

Prerequisites: MCS 121 (Calculus I) and either MCS 220 (Introduction to Analysis: Theory of the Calculus) or MCS 236 (Relation-based Structures)

Instructor: John Holte

Office: Olin 307
Telephone: x7465
Office hours: M 1:30-2:20, T 9:00-9:50, W 10:30-12:20, F 9:00-9:50
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/mcs256/2000S/mcs256.html

Textbook

CONCRETE MATHEMATICS, 2nd edition
by Ronald L. Graham, Donald E. Knuth, and Oren Patashnik
Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1994
Internet page: http://www-cs-faculty.stanford.edu/~knuth/gkp.html

Documents

• Generating functions form
• Generating functions
• Outline of combinatorics
• Counting exercises #1
• The four-fold way
• The twelve-fold way
• Exponential generating functions--partial
• Exponential generating functions--complete
• Using Maple for power series
• Asymptotics

Links

• On-line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences
• Text's internet page

Class meetings

8:00-8:50 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Classroom: Olin 317
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 256 Syllabus--Spring 2000

Week	Class Dates	Sections	Topics	Tests
1	Feb. 7-11	Chapter 1	Recurrent problems
2-3	Feb. 14-24	Chapter 2	Sums
4	Feb. 28-Mar. 3	Chapter 3 (part) Chapter 4 (part)	Integer functions Number theory
5	Monday Mar. 6			Test 1
5	Mar. 7-9	4.8 plus Class notes	Number theory RSA encryption
5-6	Mar. 10-17	Chapter 5 (part)	Binomial coefficients
7	Mar. 20-24	Class notes	Enumerative combinatorics
Spring Break	Mar. 25-Apr. 2
8	Apr. 3-7	Class notes	Enumerative combinatorics
9	Monday Apr. 10			Test 2
9-11	Apr. 11-28	Chapter 7	Generating functions
12-14	May 1-16	Chapter 8	Discrete probability and wrap-up
15	Monday May 22			Final exam 3:30-5:30

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%.

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."

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 and participation in class, your work will be weighted as follows:

25%	Problem assignments
75%	Tests

The three tests will each have two parts: a take-home part and an in-class test. Thus you will have six test scores. The best five will be counted at 15% each.