Harold P. Boas

Math 300
Section 903
Foundations of Mathematics
Fall 2021

Course Information

Course Data

Instructor Details

Course Description

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of abstract mathematical reasoning: logic, proofs, sets, functions, equivalence relations, mathematical induction, and the integers.

Course Prerequisite

The official prerequisite for this course is a grade of C or better in second-semester calculus, namely, one of the three courses Math 148, Math 152, and Math 172.

Special Course Designation

One of the requirements for an undergraduate degree is to pass two writing intensive (W) courses in your major or one W course and one oral communication (C) course. Math 300 is a designated W course. Accordingly, you must pass the writing portion of Math 300 in order to earn a grade in the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

The main goal of Math 300 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

Textbook

The textbook is Version 3 of Mathematical Reasoning: Writing and Proof by Ted Sundstrom. A free pdf download is available at the author’s website.

At the same site, there are links to study guides and to YouTube videos associated with the book.

Grading Policy

Course letter grades are assigned using the standard scale (60% is passing, 70% or higher earns a C, 80% or higher earns a B, 90% or higher earns an A).

The categories contributing to the course grade have the following weights.

There are no major exams (no midterm exams and no final exam). Instead, grades are based on a variety of assignments distributed over the whole semester.

Late Work Policy

Effective learning requires dedicated effort extending over the entire semester. The syllabus is designed to encourage spaced practice on a regular schedule. Completing the assigned activities on time is important for success in the course.

The expectation is that you will meet announced deadlines for submission of assignments. I recognize that extraordinary circumstances may arise, so I will accept late work for partial credit. I have configured Canvas to apply a penalty of 10% per day for late submissions. (To handle partial days, Canvas uses the ceiling function \(\lceil\cdot\rceil\), the smallest integer greater than or equal to the number, so the grade penalty for a submission \(x\) days late is \(\lceil x\rceil \times{}\)10%, capped at 100%.)

Work submitted to make up for an excused absence is not considered late and is exempted from the late work policy. See Student Rule 7.

Course Schedule

You should read each section of the textbook before the class meeting in which that section is on the agenda. During class, be prepared to work problems, discuss the topics, and participate in class activities.

The schedule below is subject to revision if circumstances change.

Week 1
Monday, 30 August: § 1.1, statements and conditional statements.
Wednesday, 1 September: § 1.2, constructing direct proofs.
Friday, 3 September: § 1.3, Chapter 1 summary.
Week 2
Monday, 6 September: § 2.1, statements and logical operators.
Wednesday, 8 September: § 2.2, logically equivalent statements.
Friday, 10 September: § 2.3, open sentences and sets.
Week 3
Monday, 13 September: § 2.4, quantifiers and negations.
Wednesday, 15 September: § 2.5, Chapter 2 summary.
Friday, 17 September: § 3.1, direct proofs.
Week 4
Monday, 20 September: § 3.2, more methods of proof.
Wednesday, 22 September: § 3.3, proof by contradiction.
Friday, 24 September: § 3.4, using cases in proofs.
Week 5
Monday, 27 September: § 3.5, the division algorithm and congruence.
Wednesday, 29 September: § 3.6, review of proof methods.
Friday, 1 October: § 3.7, Chapter 3 summary.
Week 6
Monday, 4 October: § 4.1, the principle of mathematical induction.
Wednesday, 6 October: § 4.2, other forms of mathematical induction.
Friday, 8 October: § 4.3, induction and recursion.
Week 7
Monday, 11 October: § 4.4, Chapter 4 summary.
Wednesday, 13 October: § 5.1, sets and operations on sets.
Friday, 15 October: § 5.2, proving set relationships.
Week 8
Monday, 18 October: § 5.3, properties of set operations.
Wednesday, 20 October: § 5.4, Cartesian products.
Friday, 22 October: § 5.5, indexed families of sets.
Week 9
Monday, 25 October: § 5.6, Chapter 5 summary.
Wednesday, 27 October: § 6.1, introduction to functions.
Friday, 29 October: § 6.2, more about functions.
Week 10
Monday, 1 November: § 6.3, injections, surjections, and bijections.
Wednesday, 3 November: § 6.4, composition of functions.
Friday, 5 November: § 6.5, inverse functions.
Week 11
Monday, 8 November: § 6.6, functions acting on sets.
Wednesday, 10 November: § 6.7, Chapter 6 summary.
Friday, 12 November: § 7.1, relations.
Week 12
Monday, 15 November: § 7.2, equivalence relations.
Wednesday, 17 November: § 7.3, equivalence classes.
Friday, 19 November: § 7.4, modular arithmetic.
Week 13
Monday, 22 November: § 7.5, Chapter 7 summary.
Wednesday, 24 November: Reading Day, classes do not meet.
Friday, 26 November: Thanksgiving Holiday, classes do not meet.
Week 14
Monday, 29 November: § 8.1, the greatest common divisor.
Wednesday, 1 December: § 8.2, prime numbers and prime factorizations.
Friday, 3 December: § 8.3, linear Diophantine equations.
Week 15
Monday, 6 December: § 8.4, Chapter 8 summary.
Wednesday, 8 December: Conclusion.

Additional Information

Math Learning Center

Help for many mathematics courses, including Math 300, is available at the Math Learning Center. There are drop-in help sessions and tutoring by appointment. Additionally, the Math Learning Center hosts an archive of supplemental material, such as Python tutorial videos and recorded review sessions.

Writing Center

The University Writing Center offers in-person, email, and Zoom appointments to discuss all kinds of writing projects. You can also get help with public speaking, presentations, and group projects.

StudyHub

For general academic support, check out the list of resources at StudyHub, sponsored by the Academic Success Center.

TAMU Curated Lists of Resources

The university has compiled a list of academic resources and a list of university resources.

Technology Support

University Policies

This section contains university-level policies. The TAMU Faculty Senate established the wording of these policies.

Attendance Policy

The university views class attendance and participation as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments.

Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about excused absences, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

Makeup Work Policy

Students will be excused from attending class on the day of a graded activity or when attendance contributes to a student’s grade, for the reasons stated in Student Rule 7, or other reason deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about makeup work, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

“Absences related to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 may necessitate a period of more than 30 days for make-up work, and the timeframe for make-up work should be agreed upon by the student and instructor” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.1).

“The instructor is under no obligation to provide an opportunity for the student to make up work missed because of an unexcused absence” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.2).

Students who request an excused absence are expected to uphold the Aggie Honor Code and Student Conduct Code. (See Student Rule 24.)

Academic Integrity Statement and Policy

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

“Texas A&M University students are responsible for authenticating all work submitted to an instructor. If asked, students must be able to produce proof that the item submitted is indeed the work of that student. Students must keep appropriate records at all times. The inability to authenticate one’s work, should the instructor request it, may be sufficient grounds to initiate an academic misconduct case” (Section 20.1.2.3, Student Rule 20).

You can learn more about the Aggie Honor System Office Rules and Procedures, academic integrity, and your rights and responsibilities at aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy

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 office on your campus (resources listed below). 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.

Disability Resources is located in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit disability.tamu.edu.

Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality

Texas A&M University is committed to fostering a learning environment that is safe and productive for all. University policies and federal and state laws prohibit gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

With the exception of some medical and mental health providers, all university employees (including full and part-time faculty, staff, paid graduate assistants, student workers, etc.) are Mandatory Reporters and must report to the Title IX Office if the employee experiences, observes, or becomes aware of an incident that meets the following conditions (see University Rule 08.01.01.M1):

Mandatory Reporters must file a report regardless of how the information comes to their attention — including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Although Mandatory Reporters must file a report, in most instances, a person who is subjected to the alleged conduct will be able to control how the report is handled, including whether or not to pursue a formal investigation. The University’s goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and to ensure access to the resources you need.

Students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are encouraged to make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution process on the University’s Title IX webpage.

Statement on Mental Health and Wellness

Texas A&M University recognizes that mental health and wellness are critical factors that influence a student’s academic success and overall wellbeing. Students are encouraged to engage in healthy self-care by utilizing available resources and services on your campus.

Students who need someone to talk to can contact Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) or call the TAMU Helpline (979-845-2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. 24-hour emergency help is also available through the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255) or at 988lifeline.org.