MATH.2190 Discrete Structures I

Section 202 - Prof. Levasseur
Spring 2021, SIS number 5484
Class Meetings: TR 9:30 - 10:45 on Zoom - Meeting information is on our section's Blackboard page.

This class meets on Zoom. I strongly encourage everyone to turn on their video cameras. I understand if you are in a situation where this is not possible, but the default settings in Zoom should be to have your camera on.

I will be recording this class for pedagogical purposes so students can have access to materials previously presented. If you have concerns about this, please reach out to me privately.

Textbook

• If you don't expect to take Discrete Structures II, you only need the first half of the book: Part 1 - Fundamentals.
• If you will be taking Discrete Structures II, you can get the whole book: Full Version - it's heavy!
• Or you can get the first half and buy the second half later: Part 2 - Algebraic Structures

Software

We will occasionally be using Mathematica in this course. Students can download a copy of Mathematica for their personal computers at no cost. Click here for details

We may also use SageMath for some of the course. SageMath (sagemath.org) is a free open source software system for mathematics. Sage can be used either on your own computer, a local server, on CoCalc (https://cocalc.com), or in a sage cell.

Grading, Exams, and Assignments

Grading

Grades will be based on the following factors:

• One mid-term exam: 20% of your grade on March 7.
• Reading Assignments and Quizzes: 50% of your grade
• Problem Sets: 20% of your grade
• Final Exam: 10% of your grade

Exams

Reading Assignments

This section of Discrete Structures I will be using an active learning format.

What does Active Learning mean?

Instead of listening to your instructor lecture on a topic and then trying to apply what you've heard, you will be expected to read assigned parts of our text and turn in an assignment a few days before we cover the reading. The assignment will usually be to write a short response to a question related to the reading and do a small number of basic exercises. There is more information about this part of the course on our Piazza page. You will get enrollment information on this soon, if you don't have it yet. You need to use your UML email account to get enrolled.

Before every class you will be assigned reading in the text and a few basic problems to be turned in using Gradescope. The assignment for each class will appear on Gradescope roughly 8-9 days before the class meets on that topic and the due date for turning in problems will be noon on the day before the class meets. The first reading assignment will be associated with the class on February 2 and will be due at noon on February 1. There will be an "Assignment 1,"" which will be a "gift" assignment to introduce yourself on Blackboard. I will drop the lowest three reading assignment grades in computing your average.

Quizzes

There will be a 5-10 minute quiz at the end of some classes. I'll let you know in advance when there will be a quiz The quizzes will potentially be on anything before that day's class material. The lowest 17% of quiz grades (one in six) will be dropped. If you miss a quiz, you will get a zero, which will be one of the dropped grades.

Problem Sets

Topics

• Set Theory
• Combinatorics
• Logic, including proofs
• More Set Theory
• Matrix Algebra
• Relations
• Functions
• Recursion

A SageMath Cell

Here is a SageMath cell that computes he intersection, union, difference (\(A-B)\), and symmetric difference of two sets, \(A\) and \(B\). Also, the power set of \(A\). You can change the values of \(A\) and \(B\) to see what happens!

All students are advised that there is a University policy regarding academic integrity.  It is the students' responsibility to familiarize themselves with these policies. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work. Link to the Academic Integrity Policy

Student Mental Health and Well-being

We are a campus that cares about the mental health and well-being of all individuals in our campus community, particularly during this uncertain time. If you or someone you know are experiencing mental health challenges at UMass Lowell, please contact Counseling Services, who are offering remote counseling via telehealth for all enrolled, eligible UMass Lowell students who are currently residing in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. I am also available to talk with you about stresses related to your work in my class.

Disability Services

If you have a documented disability that will require classroom accommodations, please notify me as soon as possible, so that we might make appropriate arrangements. Please speak to me during office hours or send me an email, as I respect, and want to protect, your privacy. Visit the Student Disability Services webpage for further information.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Classroom Community Standards

UMass Lowell and your professor value human diversity in all its forms, whether expressed through race and ethnicity, culture, political and social views, religious and spiritual beliefs, language and geographic characteristics, gender, gender identities and sexual orientations, learning and physical abilities, age, and social or economic classes. Enrich yourself by practicing respect in your interactions, and enrich one another by expressing your point of view, knowing that diversity and individual differences are respected, appreciated, and recognized as a source of strength.