Syllabus
Course Description
This course introduces the fundamental tools, topics and concepts of discrete mathematics needed to study computer science. This course emphasizes counting methods, proof techniques and problem solving strategies. Topics may include Boolean algebra; set theory; symbolic logic; predicate calculus; number theory; the methods of direct, indirect and inductive proofs; objective functions; equivalence relations; graphs; set partitions; combinatorics; modular arithmetic; summations; and recurrences.
Required Textbook
Susanna S. Epp, Discrete Mathematics with Applications, 4th Edition
Lectures and Readings
You are expected to attend all lectures for this course and are responsible for all material covered in class. If you should happen to miss a lecture, you are responsible for getting any missed notes or announcements from a classmate.
Schedule
The course schedule includes lecture topics, homework assignments, and exam dates.
Grading Criteria
Your grade is based on homework and four unit exams:
| Item | Available Points |
|---|---|
| Homework (11) | 55 points |
| Unit Exams (4) | 400 points |
Letter grades will be assigned according to your accumulated points as described in the following table, but with one important caveat:
You must receive a C or better on each of the four Unit Exams to receive a final grade of C or better. You will be given an opportunity to re-take one or more Unit Exams during the Final Exam period.
| Grade | Point Range |
|---|---|
| A | 405 – 450 |
| B | 360 – 404 |
| C | 315 – 359 |
| D | 270 – 314 |
| F | 0 – 269 |
Your grade is based on timely work accomplished during the semester. Late assignments will not be accepted unless authorized in advance. Make-up exams will only be given for documented medical illness, family emergency, or other dire circumstances.
Homework
Homework assignments are posted on the course schedule. Assignments are due before midnight on Monday of the following week. For example, the homework for the first week of class is due before midnight on Monday, February 6. Late homeworks will not be accepted.
- Homework assignments must be submitted on Blackboard in PDF, DOC, or DOCX formats.
Each assignments is worth five points: one point for completeness, and the remaining four points for detailed grading of two or three problems.
Unit Exams
There will be four Unit Exams given during the semester, each worth 100 points. The dates of the exams are given on the course schedule.
- There are no make-ups for exams except in the case of documented illness or personal emergency. You will, however, have the opportunity to re-take one or more Unit Exams during the Final Exam period.
Final Exam
There is no cummulative Final Exam, but the Final Exam period will be used to allow students to re-take one or more Unit Exams. The repeat exams will be similar to, but not identical to those given during the semester. Students who are content with their scores on the Unit Exams do not have to take the Final, but may choose to do so in order to improve their scores.
- The Final Exam period is Tuesday, May 23, 1:00 – 3:00.
As with the Unit Exams, there are no make-ups for the Final Exam except in the case of documented illness or personal emergency.
Blackboard
All grades will be posted on Blackboard. Also, I will use Bb for all course announcements. Please contact me if you have difficulty accessing the CMSC 203 Bb site.
Academic Conduct Policies
By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC’s scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the Academic Integrity Resources for Students page, the Faculty Handbook (Sections 14.2-14.3), or for graduate courses, the Graduate School website.
Any act of academic misconduct WILL BE reported to the University’s Academic Conduct Committee for further action, which may include, but is not limited to, academic suspension or dismissal from the University.
Email Policy
Please reserve email for topics that cannot wait until class or office hours. Questions about course content will typically be answered in class.