- COVID-19 syllabus update (March 20, 2020)
- Class meetings, office hours, and help sessions will take place online in Zoom starting Monday, March 23. The midterm exam on March 25 and the final exam also will have an online format. Otherwise, the original syllabus remains unchanged. We may skip a few topics, in view of the week of classes that was canceled.
- Here are some TAMU links related to the COVID-19 situation.
- Course description
- This three-credit W course introduces the fundamental concepts of abstract mathematical reasoning: logic, sets, functions, relations, 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. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to
- communicate in the language of mathematics,
- create proofs of mathematical propositions, and
- evaluate mathematical arguments.
- Textbook
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The required textbook is The Tools of Mathematical Reasoning by Tamara J. Lakins, published by the American Mathematical Society in 2016 (ISBN 978-1-4704-2899-0).
The TAMU library has access to an electronic version of the book, so registered students can view the book online for free (you may need to login with your NetID). If the preceding link does not work for you, then visit the TAMU library catalog, search for the book, and follow the link that says “Connect to the full text of this electronic book.”
The course material is contained in Chapters 1–7.
- Prerequisite
- The official prerequisite for this course is second-semester calculus, namely, one of the three courses Math 148, Math 152, and Math 172.
- Meeting time and place
- Section 901 meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:10 to 10:00 in room 164 of the Blocker building.
- Section 902 meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30 to 12:20 in room 148 of the Blocker building.
- The first class meeting is on Monday, January 13. The last class meeting is on April 28 (a Tuesday that the university has redefined to be a Friday).
- Exams and grades
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There will be midterm examinations on February 19 (Wednesday) and March 25 (Wednesday). According to the final examination schedule, the final examination for Section 901 takes place on the morning of May 1 from 8:00 to 10:00, and the final examination for Section 902 takes place on May 5 from 10:30 to 12:30.
Each of the 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 a collection of smaller assignments (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 300 is a W course, you must pass the writing portion in order to pass the course. A part of the grade for the exams and the assignments is based on writing.
- Course website
- Some items reside in eCampus, and some items reside at https://www.math.tamu.edu/~boas/courses/300-2020a/ and are linked into eCampus.
- Office hours
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During the Spring 2020 semester, my office hour in Blocker 601L is on Tuesday and Thursday 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 Teaching Operations office of the Department of Mathematics, 979-845-3261.
- Help sessions
- The Department of Mathematics sponsors a help session for Math 300 (and for some other classes) starting during the second week of classes. Check https://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/helpsessions.html for the schedule and the room.
- TAMU policy statements
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- Academic integrity
- The Aggie Honor Code states: “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.” Information about the Honor Council Rules and Procedures can be found at the website of the Aggie Honor System Office.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact Disability Resources in the Student Services Building or call 979-845-1637. Disabilities may include (but are not limited to) attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and their instructors as soon as possible.
- Attendance
- See Student Rule 7.