Syllabus for Math 3000.

Syllabus for Math 3000 (Transition to Higher Mathematics) Spring 2018

Lecture: TuTh 2-3:15 pm, Kerchof 317
Discussion: W 5-5:50 pm, Monroe 114

Instructor: Mikhail Ershov

Office: Kerchof 302
e-mail: ershov at virginia dot edu
Office hours: Wed 2-3:30, Thu 3:30-5 and by APPOINTMENT

Teaching assistant: John Harnois
- Office: Kerchof 125
- e-mail: jlh6fp at virginia dot edu
- Office hours: Mon 12:30-1:30 and Tue 12-1
Course webpage: http://people.virginia.edu/~mve2x/3000_Spring2018

References:

required text: A Discrete Transition to Advanced Mathematics by Bettina Richmond and Thomas Richmond,
additional text: Mathematical Reasoning: writing and proof by Ted Sundstrom, freely available here

Course outline

As the title indicates, Math 3000 is designed to provide a transition from computation-oriented classes like calculus to proof-based classes like Math 3310 Basic Real Analysis and Math 3354 Survey of Algebra. Unlike the majority of math classes, Math 3000 will not concentrate on a specific area of mathematics, and its main goal is to develop skills for constructing and writing rigorous mathematical proofs. The main topics we will discuss include

sets
functions
cardinality
general proof techniques
elementary number theory
elementary counting problems

Evaluation

The course grade will be based on homework, two midterms and the final (all in-class), with weights distributed as follows:

homework: 18%
midterms: 20% each
final: 42%

Exams

The midterm dates given below are tentative and may be changed later. The date and time of the final exam is determined by the registrar and cannot be changed.

First midterm exam: Tue, Feb 27th
Second midterm exam: Thu, Apr 12th
Final exam: Thu, May 10th, 9am-12pm

Make-up policy for exams

Make-ups will be given only under extreme circumstances (such as serious illness). Except for emergencies, you must obtain my permission for a make-up before the exam.
If you miss an exam without a compelling reason, you will be assigned the score of 0 on that exam.
University regulations specifically prohibit early make-ups.

Homework

Homework will be assigned weekly and will usually be due by 1pm on Fridays in the TA's mailbox.
DO NOT slide your homework under my office door.
UNSTAPLED homework will not be accepted.
No late homework will be accepted. However, two lowest homework scores will be dropped.
GRADING: most likely it will not be possible to grade all homework problems.

Collaboration policy on homework.

You are welcome (and even encouraged) to work on homework together, but you must write up solutions independently, in your own words. In particular, you should not be consulting others during the process of writing down your solution .

Announcements

Major announcements will be made in class and also posted on the course webpage. Some other announcements may only be made by e-mail, so check your e-mail account regularly.

Add/drop/withdrawal dates:

Wednesday, January 31 -- Last day to ADD a course, elect the audit option, change the grading option (grade or CR/NC), or establish an independent study
Thursday, February 1 -- Last day to DROP a course (deletion from the transcript)
Wednesday, March 14 -- Last day to withdraw from a course

Math Tutoring Center

Math Tutoring Center (MTC) will provide (free) tutoring for Math 3000. The tutoring sessions for Math 3000 will meet Sun 2-3pm, Tue 4-5pm and Thu 8:15-9:30pm. The complete MTC schedule is available here.

SDAC

All students with special needs requiring accommodations should present the appropriate paperwork from the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC). It is the student's responsibility to present this paperwork in a timely fashion and follow up with the instructor about the accommodations being offered. Accommodations for test-taking (e.g., extended time) should be arranged at least 5 business days before an exam.