Math 220
Section 901
Foundations of Mathematics
Spring 2017
- Course description
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This three-credit W course introduces the fundamental concepts of
abstract mathematical reasoning: logic, sets, functions, relations,
binary operations,
mathematical induction, and the integers.
- Course objective
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The main goal of the course is to develop fluency in abstract
mathematical reasoning through reading, understanding, and writing
proofs.
- Textbook
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The required textbook is An Introduction to Abstract
Mathematics by Robert J. Bond and William J. Keane, published
by Waveland Press in 1999
(reissued 2007), ISBN 978-1-57766-539-7.
We will cover Chapters 1–5 and possibly additional topics if
time permits.
- Prerequisite
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The prerequisite for this course is second-semester calculus (with a
grade of A, B, or C): namely,
either Math 148, Math 152, or Math 172.
- Meeting time and place
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The course meets in room 624 of the Blocker building on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:10 to 12:25.
The first class meeting is on Tuesday, January 17. The last class meeting is on Thursday, April 27, because the final class day of the semester (Tuesday, May 2) is a redefined day on which students attend their Friday classes.
- Exams and grades
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There will be examinations in class on February 21 (Tuesday) and
March 28 (Tuesday). The final examination takes place on
May 4 (Thursday) from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon.
Each of these three exams counts for 20% of the course grade.
The term paper counts for 20% of the course grade.
The remaining 20% of the course grade is based on homework/classwork/quizzes.
Course letter grades are based on the standard scale (60% is
passing, 70% or higher earns a C, 80% or higher earns a B,
90% or higher earns an A).
Since Math 220 is a W course,
you must pass the writing portion in order to pass the course.
- Course website
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http://www.math.tamu.edu/~boas/courses/220-2017a/
- Office hours
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During the Spring 2017 semester, my office hour in Blocker 601L
is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:00; I am
available also by appointment.
The best way to contact me is via email to boas@tamu.edu. Telephone messages can be left at the Department of Mathematics, 979-845-7554.
- Help sessions
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There is a Math 220 help session starting the second week of classes.
Check https://mlc.tamu.edu/Online-Help-Services/MLC-Help-Sessions for the schedule and room. Update: In addition to the posted help session, there is an additional help session for Math 220 and Math 323 that meets in Blocker 506A on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30–8:00.