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.
Grades will be based on the following factors:
The first hour exam will be on Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the text. The second exam will be on Chapters 4, 5, and 6. The final exam will be comprehensive. \
Cheat Sheets
The exams will be closed book with no technology, but one 8.5 by 11 page (both sides) of notes will be allowed in the two hour exams and three pages for the final.
You are expected to take exams on the scheduled dates. The Final exam will be scheduled between April 29 and May 6. You are expected to leave these dates open until we get a definite date/time for the final exam, which will be posted on SIS. Do not schedule travel before May 6.
Due to the Active Learning format of the course, you'll be expected to read the text associated with all classes but the first few before the class. This is a graded activity, which counts for 25% of your grade. Grades for the reading assignments will be based on your engagement on Perusall. Engagement includes reading and watching the material (there are videos associated with most readings), asking questions, answering classmates' questions, upvoting other posts, participating in quizzes that are on Perusall, and even making observations about the reading. Most students find it easy to get full credit for most assignments, which is a score of 2. However, your score can be as high as 3, which translates to a grade of 150% for the assignment. Your average can end up higher than 100% and your final average for the readings can as high as 120%. Perusall quizzes are not the same as in-class quizzes. They don't contribute to your quiz grade.
Once the deadline has passed on a reading assignment, you will still have access to the material, with limited possible increases in grades. Be aware of the due dates.
There will be short 5-10 minute quizzes 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, not new material from that day. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. If you miss a quiz, you will get a zero, which can be the dropped grade.
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!
Here is a computation of the number of different 5 card poker hands out of a standard 52 card deck.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
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.
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.
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.