MAT385-001 - Discrete Math - Spring, 2022

INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: MEP 443; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu

MEETING TIME/PLACE: TR, 4:45pm - 6:00, MP316

EXPECTED BACKGROUND: C- or better in the calc II series (MAT 228 or MAT 229).

TEXT: Mathematical Structures for Computer Science, 7th Ed., J. L. Gersting.

GRADING: There will be two exams, a project, and a comprehensive final. Homework will be assigned regularly and handed in for grading. Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Homework: 25% Project: 10% Two Exams 40% Comprehensive Final (5/12, 4:40pm) 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 grading scale, with a small buffer zone for the assignment of plus/minus grades: <60 60-70 70-71 71-79 79-80 80-81 81-89 89-90 90-91 >91 F D C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A I do curve, as necessary and as I see fit.

PROJECT: The project will be something fun that you choose to do, outside of what we do in class. It will be partly graded by your peers.

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 Tuesday would generally be due a week later on the next Tuesday (barring holidays, etc.)

COVID:

• NKU has a policy that all must have their nose and mouth covered with a mask while indoors on campus: our class will follow that policy.
• We have been asked to be flexible in terms of attendance the first two weeks, because of the surge in the Omicron variant of the virus. For that reason, I will be recording the class sessions on Zoom the first two weeks, and making those available. We know, however, that students are learning better when they take classes in person (if possible).
• If you need to quarantine because of COVID, let me know as soon as possible. I will work with you as best as I can to help you get through the course while you cannot be on campus.
• NKU's has a site devoted to its COVID policies and best practices.

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.

That being said, allowances will be made for those impacted by Covid, in particular.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class with a grade of W is Monday, March 28. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS (all office hours are by Zoom): MW 11:00-12:00; MW 4:00-5:00; TR 2:00-3:00.

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

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.
• NKU's course evaluation policy