Math 156
Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
Fall 2001

This page is no longer actively maintained. You might like to visit the current Math 156 page.

COURSE HOME PAGE

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Course Description

This course will introduce you to a number of topics in discrete mathematics that are especially useful in computer science, providing you with both mathematical skills and the ability to apply them in computer science settings. Many of the skills developed here will also be used in subsequent mathematics and computer science courses.
Instructor
Randall Pruim
office: North Hall 284
phone: (616) 957-7113
E-mail: rpruim@calvin.edu

Time & Location
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 12:30 in North Hall 276

Office hours
Regular office hours are currently scheduled for
Mondays 11:30-12:20
Tuesdays 2:30-3:20
Thursdays 2:30-3:20
Fridays 11:30-12:20
If these times do not work for you, other times can be arranged by appointment. Alternatively, you can simply stop by my office and see if I am available. (You might like to consult my current schedule before proposing a time.)

Internet Resources

Email
I will maintain an email list of all students registered in this class and will occassionally use it to distribute information and reminders of various things pertaining to this course. If you do not know how to access your email, please talk to someone at the IT helpdesk. If you prefer to read your email from an account other than your calvin student account, send me email with the email address you prefer.

I am having a mailing list set up for this class, but I don't know the details yet. If it is like last year, you will be able to send email to the class list at math156a@calvin.edu. Once it has been set up, I will inform you of the details. You could do this, for example, if you were looking for a study partner before a test.

Web Pages
In addition to this home page, I will also maintain a list of web resources pertaining to this course. Items I have prepared and maintain online include

BlackBoard CourseInfo
I am also making partial use of BlackBoard (now available via KnightVision). You can go to BlackBoard to check your grades, send email to individuals or groups in the class, and to read all the other information (like this page) that I have on line.

Important Information

See me
If you are having difficulty with any portion of the course, do not hesitate to see me (during the office hours listed above or at some other time). Do this as soon as possible, certainly well in advance of any deadlines (like tests) so that we can work to fix the problem.

Required Textbook
Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications by Kenneth H. Rosen.
Grading
Grading will be based on the following approximate weighting: 

        15%    Homework, Quizzes, etc.
        20%    Test 1  on Monday, October 1
        20%    Test 2  on Tuesday, October 30
        20%    Test 3 on Tuesday, December 4
        25%    Final Exam on Thursday, December 13, at 1:30 pm

Final exam: Thursday afternoon, Dec 13, 1:30 pm.

Tests must be taken when they are scheduled. No make-up, alternate or late tests will be given. If you miss one test (for any reason) or if your final exam score is better than your worst test, then your final exam score will be substituted for that test.

Homework. You will not be able to master the material in this course without practice. I will make assignments nearly every day. Some portions of these assignments will be collected and others will not. Please follow the homework guidelines when turning in written work.

Working Together
You may find it pleasant and useful to work together on many portions of this course. I encourage you to do so. BUT you must abide by the guidelines for working together.

Attendance
Although I will not be recording attendance on a daily basis, attendence is required. Skipping class can have a detrimental effect on your grade in several ways. Most importantly, by missing class, you are missing an important part of the course.

Preparing for class
You should bring with you each day: Of course, you should have read (and thought about) any assigned readings prior to coming to class. You may want to have your notes handy, especially if you have questions regarding the readings or homework.

Special Circumstances
Occassionally there are special circumstances that require that the rules and guidelines above be adjusted for a particular student. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to inform me of the situation as soon as possible, so that the appropriate arrangements can be made. This includes, but is not limited to, students with documented disabilities.

Last modified: Monday, 01-Sep-2003 09:33:08 EDT