Course Objectives:

• To further develop your ability to think abstractly and creatively about mathematical problems
• To increase your ability to understand and write rigorous mathematical proofs
  
• To understand and use basic theorems in elementary number theory, including prime factorization, modular arithmetic, Diophantine equations, quadratic reciprocity, etc.
• To understand some applications of number theory to prime testing and cryptography
  

Course web site:  The best source of information about this course is available at  www.gac.edu/~kaiser/mcs344/. There you will find a complete syllabus, course description, current homework assignments, and so on.

Textbook:   Elementary Number Theory, fifth edition, by Kenneth Rosen.

Classes:    Classes will be used for lectures, problem solving, discussions, and other fun activities.   You should prepare for classes by doing the reading beforehand (reading assignments are posted on the Web),  thinking about the problems in the text, and formulating questions of your own.  You should also participate as much as possible in class.  Class meetings are not intended to be a complete encapsulation of the course material.  You will be responsible for learning some of the material on your own.

Attendance, both physical and mental, is required.

Should you need to miss a class for any reason, you are still responsible for the material covered in that class. This means that you will need to make sure that you understand the reading for that day, that you should ask a friend for the notes from that day, and make sure that you understand what was covered. If there is an assignment due that day, you should be sure to have a friend hand it in or put it in my departmental mailbox (in Olin 324). If we did an activity that has points, you will not be allowed to make up those points.  You do not need to tell me why you missed a class unless there is a compelling reason for me to know.  However, if you are missing classes frequently, you should let me know why.  I may lower the course grade for students who miss a significant amount of class.

Tests:  We will have two "midterm" tests and a final exam.  The midterm tests will probably have an in-class, fact-based component and a take-home problem-solving component.  The final exam is tentatively scheduled for Monday, May 21, at 1:00 pm.

Project:    Each student will be expected to prepare and present a class on a subject in number theory.  We will talk more about this later in the semester.

Homework:  I will assign homework at the beginning of each chapter by posting them on the web. 

Homework problems are homework problems which you hand in to me.  They will be graded on a scale of 0 - 5 per problem, where a 5 means that you've done a good job of solving the problem and writing the solution up clearly.  You are encouraged to work on doing these problems with one or two other students in the class; if you do so, then you should hand in a single set of solutions and the points will be given to all the students in the group. 

Academic Integrity  You are expected to to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, to uphold the Gustavus Honor Code and to abide by the Academic Honesty Policy. Copies of the honor code and academic honesty policy can be found in Academic Bulletin and in the Gustie Guide.  

The first violation of the Honor Code will result in a score of 0 on the assignment in question and notification of the Dean of Faculty.  Further violations will result in failing the course.

Course grade:
 

Attendance/Class participation	5%
Tests	54%
Project	10%
Homework	31%

I may adjust your course grade  based on the quantity and quality of your class participation.

Accessibility:  Please contact me during the first week of class if you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations. All discussions will remain confidential. You can provide documentation of your disability to the Advising Center (204 Johnson Student Union) or call Laurie Bickett (x7027).