Math 299: Introduction to Proofs (10062)

Spring 2016

Instructor: Prof. Antun Milas

Office: Earth Sciences 123A

Contact phone: 442-4608

Email : [email protected]

Web: http://www.math.albany.edu/~am815139/220sylSpring2016.html

Office hours: MW: 10:25-11:30 AM, or by appointment.

Text: An Introduction to Proofs and the Mathematical Vernacular by Martin V. Day. You do not need to bring it with you to class each day.

Additional texts (notes):

Material covered: We will cover the following sections of the text:


Chapter 1: Sections A-F
Chapter 2: Sections A-E
Chapter 3: Sections A-F, G (optional)
Chapter 4: Sections A-B
Chapter 5 (optional)

Attendance: You are expected to attend class on time everyday . I reserve the right to lower your course grade for absences.

Examinations: There will be two exams:

Midterm (TBA)
Final Exam (TBA)

All students are expected to take the examinations at the announced time. There is no reason to miss an exam other than getting sick (bring note from doctor), being on a team that has a game at the same time an exam is given (bring a note from your coach), or a death or serious illness in your family. In the event you can not attend an exam, you need to notify me IN ADVANCE . You can call me, e-mail me (preferred!) or leave a message with the secretaries.

Homework: Writing assignments (aka homeworks) are an essential part of the course. Daily homework problems will be assigned on each section of material covered in class. Homework will be collected and graded! If you want to attach your whole problem set together, use a paperclip or staple. Your homework should be neat and legible.

Oral presentations: Each Thursday (not including the week of the midterm) will be devoted to students oral presentations, and the students in the audience will also be expected to discuss and evaluate the presentations. The topics of the presentations will be selected and assigned throughout the semester. Each student will present orally at least twice. Presentations will be approximately 10 minutes long. You will be asked either to prove a statement (theorem) or to give an example or counterexample. At the end of each presentation the speaker will answer questions from the audience.

Grade breakdown: Final exam (25%), Midterm (25%), Homework (25%), Oral Presentations (25%).

Use of electronic devices: The use of cell phones is prohibited in class. Ringtones must be turned off in class and, if on, cell phones must be in vibrate mode. If there is a need to check for and/or receive a call, the student must inform me in advance to excuse him/herself to take an important call. Students must not engage in text messaging in the classroom. Students who create disturbance with ringing cell phones or text messaging, will be asked to leave the class session. Also, I do not allow laptops, tablet devices (iPads, etc.), music players, or any other electronic devices I deem potentially distracting in class.

Letter grades:

90% or more "A". 80% or more, at least "B". 70 % or more, at least "C". 60% or more, at least "D". Less than 55%, "E".