This course will introduce students to research in mathematics as well as other facets of the mathematics profession. Initially students will work together to answer questions about a game called SET. SET is a relatively simple card game that lends itself to analysis using several areas of mathematics including combinatorics, probability, linear algebra and projective geometry. In addition to learning about and doing research in mathematics, students will be introduced to several other skills needed by professional mathematicians. Students will complete a literature review, prepare manuscripts using the mathematical typesetting program TeX, prepare a poster and present an expository seminar talk and a seminar talk about their research.

Course Objectives

• Learn what it is like to do research in mathematics.
• Learn how to use LaTeX to prepare a mathematics document. Learn how to write up the results of your research.
• Learn how to give a research talk and an expository talk.
• Learn how to prepare a poster for a math conference.

Web Page
Announcements, course information and assignments will be posted on the course web page.  The URL for this course is
http://www.gac.edu/~mmcdermo/mcs203/j04/

Prerequisites
One college level mathematics course.

Text
SET Game by SET Enterprises Inc.

Course-pack with information about LaTeX will be available soon.

Academic Integrity
As a student at Gustavus you are expected to uphold the Honor Code and abide by the Academic Honesty Policy. A copy of the honor code and academic honesty policy can be found in the Academic Bulletin and in the Gustie Guide.

Accessibility
Please contact me during the first week of class if you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disability and require accommodation. I will do my best to facilitate the necessary arrangements. All discussions will remain confidential. You can provide documentation of your disability to the Advising Center (204 Johnson Student Union). All discussions will remain confidential. Call Jane Lalim in Academic Advising (x7072).

Assignments

• You will be keeping a research notebook. I will collect this periodically.
• You will be learning how to use the mathematical typesetting program LaTeX. You will write up some of your results and prepare a LaTeX document.
• You will give two 15-20 minutes talks. One will be about your research and the other will be an expository talk.
• You will prepare a poster, suitable for a poster session at a mathematics conference.

Evaluation
I encourage you all to elect to take this course pass/fail. A passing grade will be given if you complete satisfactorily all assignments and miss no more than two class meetings.

If you elect to take this course for a letter grade, your course grade will be determined using the following percentages as a guide: