Syllabus
Professor: Jay Cummings
Course: Math 108, Intro to Proofs
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: Math 31 and Math 35.
Catalog description: Logic of mathematical proof, set theory, relations, functions. Examples and applications from set cardinality, algebra, and analysis.
Textbook: No textbook is required, but everything we will cover is contained inside Proofs: A Long-Form Mathematics Textbook, which I wrote and is available on Amazon for around $16. I will also share this content with you for free through Perusall. If you would like another reference, Book of Proof by Richard Hammack is a good text which you can download for free from Hammack's website or purchase for around $30 on Amazon.
Homework: Homework is a very important part of the course, and in order to fully master the topics it is essential that you work carefully on every assignment and try your best to complete every problem. You will have about 9 assignments over the semester. You will complete these assignments in groups. You will also have to make comments on Perusall documents.
Midterm exams: There will be two midterm exams; the first on March 19th, and the second on May 7th. If you violate the instructions of a midterm, then you will receive a zero on that midterm.
Final exam: The final examination will be held on Monday May 17th at 10:15am. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have a schedule conflict involving the final examination. You should not enroll in this class if you cannot sit for the final examination at its scheduled time.
Focus on Writing: Mathematics is deeply concerned with solving old problems, stating new ones, generalizing and abstracting existing theories, and uncovering new connections, but the end product is always a precise, concise, and thorough article. Making progress in mathematics goes nowhere until others believe and understand it. One major goal of this course is to improve the students’ ability to write logically precise, well-structured, and well-justified mathematics. We will discuss these issues both in and outside of the classroom, and you are strongly encouraged to solicit feedback from me on your rough drafts.
Grading Policy
Your course grade will be determined by your cumulative average at the end of the term and will be based on the following scale:| A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D |
| 93 | 90 | 87 | 83 | 80 | 77 | 73 | 70 | 65 |
I may adjust the scale to be more lenient, but I guarantee that the grade corresponding to a given percentage
will not be lower than specified by the above scale.
Your cumulative average will be weighted as follows.
Your cumulative average will be weighted as follows.
- 40% Written Homework, 10% Perusall Assignments, 30% Midterms, 20% Final Exam
Regrades: If you find a grading or point-totaling error on any graded material, please let me know ASAP.
Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense at CSUS. Students caught cheating will face an administrative sanction which may include suspension or expulsion from the university. It is in your best interest to maintain your integrity.