MAT385-001 - Discrete Math - Spring, 2009

INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: ST 328; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu

MEETING TIME/PLACE: MWF 11:00 - 11:50 AM, ST 255

EXPECTED BACKGROUND: C or better in Calc II, and CSC262 or MAT270.

TEXT: Mathematical Structures for Computer Science, 5th or 6th Ed., J. L. Gersting.

GRADING: There will be three hour exams and a comprehensive final. Homework will be assigned regularly and handed in for grading.

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Homework: 20% Projects (two): 10% Three Exams 45% Final 25%

The tests will be given in class, closed book. Make-up exams will not be given except in extreme circumstances. I use the standard 90/80/70/60 cutoffs, but do curve.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly. You should expect to do a lot of homework in order to do well in the course. Each homework assignment will be handed in, generally two class periods after it is assigned, so that a few homework problems (chosen at random) may be graded. Hence, exercises assigned on a Monday would generally be due a week later on the next Monday (barring holidays, etc.)

PROJECTS: You will carry out two small projects, which will involve some writing and perhaps some computation (although I may offer a choice of computation versus theory). These projects will be presented on-line on our wiki, http://www.norsemathology.org/wiki.

ATTENDANCE: The student is responsible for all material assigned or discussed in class. Attendance will be taken, and may be used along with class effort (as measured by participation - asking questions, answering other students' questions, group work, etc.) to resolve borderline grades.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class with a grade of "W" is March 30, 2009. After that day it is not usually permitted.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: are on-line (see the course homepage)

OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:00-10:45; TR 10:40 am- 12:00 pm. I am also available by appointment, and at random when approached with a smile.

Notes:

• Course homepage: http://www.nku.edu/~longa/classes/mat385/
• I reserve the right to alter this syllabus if necessary. Any changes will be discussed in class, and all students will be notified.
• If you need accommodations for a physical, psychological, or medical disability please talk with me so that I may do my best to meet your needs.
• The Departmental Syllabus for all Mathematics courses is a part of the syllabus for this course, and is available upon demand.
• The use of cell phones, laptops, beepers, etc. is forbidden in class (without a doctor's orders). You will be asked to sign a classroom agreement, indicating your acceptance of this.