MAT385-001 - Discrete Math - Spring, 2025

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

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

MEETING TIME/PLACE: TR, 3:25-4:40pm, MP325

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

TEXT: Mathematical Structures for Computer Science, J. L. Gersting, any edition between the 4th and 7th.

GRADING: There will be weekly quizzes, two midterm exams, 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: 25%
Midterm Exams 40%
Project: 5%
Comprehensive Final (Monday, 5/5, 2:30pm) 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 (or another AI of your choosing), and posting your results to a wiki. It will be graded in part 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 Wednesdays. They will be handed in for grading. I will drop your two lowest quiz grades before computing your average score.

STUDENT HONOR CODE: This Student Honor Code is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the University, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements. Please visit this page for more information.

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 24. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS MTRF, 12-12:50pm; W, 2-3pm; R, 3:00pm-4pm. I'm often available for a short Zoom at the drop of a hat: email me.

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

Notes:


Website maintained by Andy Long. Comments appreciated.

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