Course Description

This course will introduce the student to several topics in finite mathematics including sets and counting, logic, graph theory, game theory, and voting theory. A major goal of this class is to give students confidence in talking and writing about mathematics. We will spend roughly two weeks on each of the five topics.

Textbook

Finite Math and Its Applications (8th edition) by Goldstein, Schneider, and Siegel
(Available at Wheelock Books)

Scheduled Lectures

MWF 11:15 - 12:20, (x-hour) Tu 12 - 12:50

Location: Bradley 102

Instructor

Erin M. Boyer

Office: 1S Bradley Hall

Office Hours: Mondays & Thursdays 1 - 3

Email: erin.m.boyer@dartmouth.edu

Class Participation

It is important for students to come to class prepared and ready to participate. Students should aim to ask at least one question or make a comment in every class period, and preferably more than one. Attendance is particularly important on days that are dedicated to group work, as every student will be expected to participate actively in his or her assigned group.

Homework Policy

There will be two types of homework assigned in this course. Two days a week, problem sets will be assigned and posted in the homework section. One day a week, a worksheet will be handed out in class. Students will work together in groups on the problems on this worksheet, however every student must write up his or her own work. Student solutions to these questions should be written in complete sentences and submitted on a separate sheet. All homework assignments will be due just before the following class. That is, problem sets assigned Monday and Wednesday will be due before class on Wednesday and Friday, and worksheets assigned on Friday will be due before class on Monday. LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT PERMITTED FOR ANY REASON. The grader is permitted to give a grade of 0 on any homework that is not neat and stapled. Take pride in your work!

Problem sets will be graded on a scale of 0-2 as follows:

• 0 means major errors and/or little to show
• 1 means significant errors and/or partially complete
• 2 means substantially complete and correct.

Project

In a course where one can only catch a glimpse of each topic before it is time to move onto the next, this project is intended to give the student the opportunity to delve a little more deeply into a topic which interests her or him. Every student is expected to submit a writing project on a subject which is related to one of the topics covered in this course. This work should be comparable to a section in a textbook (or a lesson plan) in that it includes exposition, pertinant definitions, examples, and relevant applications.

Students will be expected to hand in a brief project proposal which includes the topic they plan to research and a list of resources. This project proposal is due on Friday, May 14th. The project is due on Friday, May 28th.

An x-hour will be scheduled around the middle of the term for an informal discussion of possible topics for projects. Students are strongly encouraged to set up an appointment with the instructor to discuss areas of interest.

Exams

There will be one midterm examination and a final examination. The exams are scheduled as follows:

Midterm	Tuesday, April 27	7 - 9pm	101 Bradley Hall
Final Exam	Saturday, June 5	8 - 11am	101 Bradley Hall

Grades

The course grade will be based upon the scores on the homework, midterm exam, project, final exam, and class participation as follows:

Homework*	81 points
Midterm Exam	100 points
Project	50 points
Final Exam	100 points
Class Participation	20 points
Total	351 points

*18 problems sets and 9 worksheets

The Honor Principle

Collaboration on homework is permitted and encouraged, but obviously it is a violation of the honor code for someone to provide the answers for you. In other words, you should feel free to talk to other students while thinking about a problem. However, when it comes time to write up your solutions, you should do this by yourself and without outside assistance.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need disability-related classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see their instructor as soon as possible. Also, they should stop by the Academic Skills Center in Collis Center to register for support services.

Erin M. Boyer
Last updated May 31, 2008 12:24:35 EDT