INSTRUCTOR. Dr. Relja Vulanovic,
homepage: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rvulanov
Office: 150Q Fine Arts, phone 330-244-5178 (KSU ext. 55178), e-mail: rvulanov (at) kent (dot) edu [(at) = @, (dot) = .]
If your e-mail address is not a kent.edu address, please add ‘Dr. V’ to the
subject of your message. Otherwise, the message may be recognized as spam and
deleted. If your message requests my reply and you do not receive it, this
means I did not get the message. Since each semester I usually teach 3-4
different classes, please identify the class in your message.
OFFICE HOURS. MW 11:30 am – 12:30 pm; TR 1:30 – 2:00 pm, 4:00 – 5:30 pm; other times by appointment
ONLINE ACCESS.
This syllabus is accessible online either directly at http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rvulanov/classes/DiscrS13.htm
or through Blackboard Learn. Reach Learn through FlashLine
or at https://learn.kent.edu/.
Learn is also where you can find other class material, points, and grades. Please make it your habit to use
these online resources. For instance, when you miss class, refer to the posted
homework assignments to see what sections were finished and what homework
problems you can work on.
TEXT. Essentials of Discrete Mathematics (2nd edition) by David J. Hunter (ISBN 978-1-4496-0442-4; e-text on CourseSmart: ISBN 978-1-4496-3750-7)
COURSE
OUTLINE AND OBJECTIVES. Most
sections of Chapters 1-4 will be done – they cover discrete mathematical
techniques and structures including finite set theory, graph theory,
propositional calculus, combinatorics, discrete probability, and, in general,
formal methodology and proof techniques. Precise mathematical notation will be
used and required.
You can find Learning Outcomes for this class posted in Learn. Learning Outcomes is a document adopted
by the Kent State Department of Mathematical Sciences and this syllabus is in
general agreement with it. Wherever there is a difference between the two, the
syllabus is considered the primary document.
PREREQUISITE. MATH 12002: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I or MATH 12012: Calculus with Precalculus II. Corequisite: MATH 21001: Linear Algebra. No credit for MATH 23022: Discrete Structures for Computer Science.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS. You need your own copy of the
textbook. A scientific calculator will be used occasionally.
Regular
attendance and consistent studying are required throughout the term. Academic
behavior is expected of each student. Unexcused absence, tardiness, eating or
drinking in class, I do not consider academic. I expect your undivided
attention and participation during each class period. Therefore, turn cell
phones off before entering the classroom and refrain from using any electronic
device for activities not relevant to class, such as texting, e-mailing,
surfing the Web, etc. If you want to video or audio record my lectures, you
must ask me for permission. The permission will never be given for the public
use of the recorded material. Violators may be prosecuted to the full extent of
the law.
It is your responsibility to let me know if you need help. Ask questions in class or see me in my office if you do not understand something or have difficulties in this class. If you do not react, I will assume that you are, for whatever reason, satisfied with your class standing. If you have to miss class, it is nice to let me know ahead of time. You still remain responsible for making up what you missed.
Homework assignments, listed at http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rvulanov/classes/DiscrS13hw.htm, are from the textbook exercises. Their purpose is to prepare you for tests since test problems will require the same skills. Moreover, each test will contain some homework problems, either in their original or a slightly modified form. A selection of homework problems will be graded for 100 regular points. These points are percent points, which means that your total homework score is your percentage of the maximum possible number of points (the worth of each problem is provisionally set at 5 points). ). The problems are to be done in blue books, which will be collected weekly (the exact dates will be announced in class and posted on the homework webpage). You may work with one partner of your choice; if you do so, please indicate the partner’s name in your submission. You are expected to collaborate with your partner, not to copy his/her answers, as this is a form of plagiarism. You may switch to a different partner from one assignment to another.
Exams. There will
be four 100-point tests, including the final exam, which is not comprehensive:
|
Test 1 |
Test 2 |
Test 3 |
Test 4 = Final Exam |
|
1.1-1.5 |
2.1-2.5 |
3.1-3.4 |
4.1-4.4 |
|
W Feb. 6 |
W March 6 |
W April 10 |
W May 8 at 1 pm |
All tests will be in class and with closed books and notes. A few test problems may be harder
or less typical, requiring more thinking but no new math skills. When taking a test, you are
supposed to show all your knowledge and skills, so please refrain from asking
how to solve the problems, whether you are on the right track, whether your
answer is correct, etc.
Tests
cannot be re-taken. If you have to miss a test, you can make it up in the
Testing Center, but you have to give me a valid excuse. This should happen on
exceptional basis and, under normal circumstances, no more than two make-ups
will be allowed. Tests sent to the Testing Center will very likely be different
from the original ones. All test make-ups should be done before the final-exam
week.
If you are absent when graded tests and other assignments are returned, it is your responsibility to come to my office not only to get your work back but also to discuss it with me.
Class
Grade. Your class grade
will be determined from the following grading scale
|
% |
0-59.9 |
60-66.9 |
67-69.9 |
70-72.9 |
73-76.9 |
77-79.9 |
80-82.9 |
83-86.9 |
87-89.9 |
90-92.9 |
93-100 |
|
Grade |
F |
D |
D+ |
C- |
C |
C+ |
B- |
B |
B+ |
A- |
A |
Letter grades A and A- stand for excellent performance; B+, B, B- for very good; C+, C, C- for good (average); D+, D for poor but passing; and F for failing. In some borderline cases, if you are no more than 3 points away from a higher grade, you may get that grade if you deserved it by your overall performance in class throughout the term. This consists of, but is not limited to, your attitude, attendance, participation, consistency of your test scores, and your general course-work as compared to other students with nearby scores. In the following cases you will receive an SF class grade (stop attending - F): if you miss a test and I do not hear from you for a whole week after that, or if you are failing but not coming to class.
DISCLAIMER. Please understand that the above syllabus is only tentative and that it may somewhat change. All changes will be announced in class and posted in Learn.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS. Success is a relative thing. For some of you, anything less than an A will be a failure; for others, passing with a D will be a success. Your success depends on your math background and on the amount of time and effort you put into this class. Note that you are graded for your performance (skills and knowledge you show), not for your talent and potential. If your previously acquired math skills are weak, you will have to find some time to improve them. Otherwise, you will struggle in this class. Use all the help you can get in the Tutoring Center or in my office. Of course, poor test performance indicates that you need help, particularly if you regularly do all homework problems. If you want to succeed, you will attend this class regularly, study consistently throughout the term, do all homework assignments on your own and with understanding, and seek out help every time you need it. You can visit http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rvulanov/classes/success.htm for more hints on studying and learning math.
TUTORING. Free, walk-in math tutoring is available in the Academic Success Center on the lower level of Campus Center. Tutoring hours and a link to free online tutoring can be found at http://www.stark.kent.edu/student/resources/tutoring.cfm. The Academic Success Center is also where students go to make up missed exams; see the procedures and hours at http://www.stark.kent.edu/student/resources/makeup-exams.cfm.
***
Academic
Honesty. Use of the intellectual property of others without
attributing it to them is considered a serious academic offense. Cheating
or plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the work or for the entire
course. Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the University.
University guidelines require that all infractions be reported to the Student
Conduct Officer on our campus.
Students with Disabilities. University policy 3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-244-5047 or visit http://www.stark.kent.edu/student/resources/accessibility.cfm for more information on registration procedures).
Classes Canceled – Campus
Closings. Announcements of class
cancellations and/or campus closings will be made on the campus home
page. In the case of an emergency, weather-related or otherwise, please
check the web page at stark.kent.edu for information on the buildings and times
of the closing. While information may be broadcast by radio and television,
this should be confirmed by the web page, which is the official announcement of
the campus and which will be the information used to determine issues related
to student attendance, rescheduling of tests, and other concerns.
Class Withdrawal. If you are considering withdrawing from this course, please consult with a staff member in the Student Services Office, 134 Main Hall. Withdrawal from a course can affect financial aid, student status, or progress within your major. For withdrawal deadlines, please refer to http://www.registrars.kent.edu/home/TermUpdate/sche_adj.htm.