MAT385-001 - Discrete Math - Spring, 2023

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 weekly quizzes, one midterm exam, a project, and a comprehensive final. Homework will be assigned regularly and quizzes will cover that. If you've done your homework and understand it, then the quizzes should reflect that. Your course grade will be determined as follows:

Weekly quizzes: 35% Midterm Exam 30% Project: 5% Comprehensive Final (Thursday, 5/4, 4:40pm) 30%

Exams 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 involve exploring discrete math with chatGPT, and posting your results to a wiki. It will be partly graded by your peers.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly. You should do the homework in order to do well in the course (in particular, to do well on the quizzes).

QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given near the end of class on Thursdays. They will be handed in for grading. I will drop your two lowest quiz grades before computing your average score.

COVID:

• 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.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class with a grade of W is Monday, March 20. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS: MW 3:15pm-4:30pm; TR 6:00pm-7:00pm. I am also available by Zoom, with a little notice.

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.