San Francisco State University


                                Exploration and Proof












FALL 2009

Math 301-02 (3 units)

Exploration and Proof

T-Th 2:10-3:25, Room HSS 304

Instructor: Mariel Vazquez; mariel@math.sfsu.edu

Office Hours: Thursday 3:30-4:30, or by appointment
Office location: 928 Thornton Hall


Description (bulletin): Informal exploration and proofs in mathematics; basic concepts of advanced mathematics courses. Exploratory thinking, elementary logic, sets, mathematical induction, the integers, relations, and functions. (ABC/NC grading only.)[GWAR]

Prerequisites and requirements: Math 226 (Calculus I) or equivalent with a grade of C or better; Eng 214 (Second year written composition - English) or equivalent with a grade of C or better. Please contact the instructor if you do not meet these requirements. Students who have not provided documentation for the pre-requisites will be dropped from the class.

Assignments/Requirements: homework will be assigned weekly or bi-weekly. Most homeworks will be graded; the average will count towards 20% of the final grade.

    Syllabus (pdf file)

Materials:

  Required Text: The Discrete and the Continuous, by Matthias Beck and Ross Geoghegan. 

This book is freely available in electronic form from Professor Beck’s site (pdf).

Homeworks

For Tuesday September 1st: work on Homework 1 and be prepared to present the proofs to propositions 1.6-1.9.

Homework 1, due Thursday September 3rd, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 2, due Thursday September 10th, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 3, due Thursday September 17th, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 4, due Thursday September 24th, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 5, due Thursday October 1st, 2009 (pdf).
In-class group work (to count as a quiz), Thursday October 15th, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 6, due Tuesday October 20th, 2009 (pdf). (Originally due Oct 15).
Homework 7 - Term project pre-proposal, due Tuesday October 20th, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 8, due Tuesday October 27th, 2009 (pdf).
In-class group work (to count as a quiz), Tuesday November 3rd, 2009 (pdf).
Homework 9, due Tuesday November 17th, 2009 (pdf).
Final Paper, Guidelines, 1st draft due Thursday December 3rd, 2009 (pdf).

Examinations

Midterm 1: Thursday October 1st, 2009

Midterm 2: Thursday November 19th, 2009

Midterm 3: Thursday December 10th, 2009

Term-paper: Thursday December 17th, 2009


Lectures

Lectures will be cancelled a few times this semester due to furlough days. 

THERE WILL BE NO CLASS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8th, 2009.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 22, 2009
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5th, 2009


Fixed furlough days in the academic calendar:
Friday September 4th, Monday Sept. 7th and Tuesday Sept. 8th, 2009
Friday October 23th, Monday October 26th.

Note: campus will be closed on fixed furlough days.