Contact Information:		Office Hours:
214-5 Elizabeth Hall		Monday 2:30-3:20
ext. 7551		Wednesday 11:00-11:50
campus box 8340		Thursday 10:00-10:50
		Friday 11:00-11:50
http://www.stetson.edu/~mhale/		or by appointment.

Course Overview   Most students who enter this course are used to calculation-based mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. The purpose of this course is to help you make the transition to the later math courses in which proofs, logic, language, and notation play an integral role. The prerequisites are a logical mind, enjoyment of patterns, and a willingness to work. Usually completion of Calculus II and your interest are enough.

Content Goals:

• facility in interpreting and using mathematical language and notation;
• a firm background in elementary logic and practice in reasoning;
• experience dealing with sets, functions, relations;
• improvement of computer skills, particularly Mathematica;

Skills:

• asking good questions;
• discovering and writing proofs;
• evaluating the proofs of others;
• knowing when you are correct, when you are on a useful path, and when you're lost;
• greeting mysteries with enthusiasm, not impatience or fear;
• analysis of examples;
• formulation of conjectures;

This year the course becomes 4 credit hours. The content includes material from my own text, Essentials of Mathematics. Most of your time will be spent on digesting the definitions, axioms, and theorems in the book and proving the theorems. In addition, there will be lab problems from various areas of math. These will help you to expand your mathematical horizons, learn to explore, and develop computer skills. I also encourage you to read the recommended book by Ian Stewart, Letters to a Young Mathematician. Other interesting books are found in additional resources.

Grading   Your grade will be based on the following:

Homework should consume about 8 hours per week outside of class. The first test will occur at the end of Chapter 1, approximately the week of 9/17. Subsequent tests will be announced a week ahead of time. After each test, you will receive an update on your cumulative grade. Shortly after the first test, you will begin work on the paper. Due toward the end of the semester, it will report on an article you have read. Please see the paper and talk guidelines. Thursdays are lab days, meeting in 205E. Lab due dates are announced with each lab. The final exam is Tuesday 12/11, 4-6 pm.

Policies  

Becoming a mathematician involves learning new skills and adopting new habits of mind. The purpose of this course is to gently push you in the right directions. Two of the goals, asking your own questions and dealing with the frustration of not knowing answers immediately, are achieved only when the professor takes a step away. Therefore, my teaching style is to let you explore on your own until you're ready for help. I have not abandoned you, I'm simply transferring to you the responsibility of forming the question.

Class work is subject to some rules that both further our goals and assure that the class runs smoothly.

• No late work counts for a grade.
• Homework must conform to the guidelines.
• Collaboration on homework with your classmates is encouraged but must be acknowledged.
• Please ask me questions on anything: in class, in my office, or by email. See my contact information.
• You may not use books, notes, internet sources, or other faculty to help with homework.
• You may use the math clinic, but I recommend you do that sparingly.
• Tests are given in class. You may not use books, notes, or other people.
• You may use any source for lab problems; please cite all sources.
• The paper you write must be in your own words. See the paper and talk guidelines.
• Loyal attendance is a must for success in this course. Attendance will be noted, but not graded.

I support the Stetson University Honor System. Also read my statement on Ethics in Math Courses.

Communication  

Read your email regularly, as I sometimes send class announcements that way. Upon request, I can also send confidential grade information to you at your Stetson email address or through Blackboard. You can forward your Stetson email or configure Blackboard for another address. IT can provide help (ext. 7217). If you have special needs, don't hesitate to discuss them, either with me or with the Academic Resources Center. I hope you're looking forward to the semester.

the mathematical perspective
homework guidelines
paper and talk guidelines
summary of proof techniques
additional resources
truth table forms
back to logic & proof
back to Margie's home page