This is the home page for CMPSCI 190DM. CMPSCI 190DM is an experimental version of an introductory undergraduate course in discrete mathematics and the mathematical method. I am developing it for possible use in a new degree program in the School of Computer Science called "Informatics", a program that will teach computational thinking at a less technical level than the Computer Science majors. The intended audience for this course is students who intend to pursue computing, perhaps in programming courses for majors like CMPSCI 121 and 187, but could use more exposure to mathematical thinking first.
Instructor Contact Info: David Mix Barrington, 210 CMPSCI building, 545-4329, office hours TBA I generally answer my email fairly reliably.
TA Contact Info: There is no TA or grader for this course.
The material of the course does not overlap much with that of the conventional pre-calculus and calculus courses, but it will demand some basic skill in calculation. There is no formal prerequisite, but an average high-school math background will be useful (e.g., the University's R1 gen-ed requirement). (This course does not carry gen-ed credit itself, though I expect that future versions will be R2 courses.)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, someone who has taken MATH 132 or CMPSCI 187 probably has too much mathematical maturity to be in the appropriate audience for this course.
The textbook for the course is Discrete Mathematics: Mathematical Reasoning and Proof with Puzzles, Patterns, and Games by Douglas E. Ensley and J Winston Crawley. The Textbook Annex has been informed about the book. It's pretty expensive, but there are the cheaper options of buying it used, renting it, or getting the e-book. We'll work through most of the book, with specific sections as specified on the syllabus.
The course will meet for three lecture meetings a week, MWF 10:10-11:00 in Lederle Tower (LGRC, the low-rise) room 143. There will be graded activity in every class section, so attendance is required.
Announcements (13 December 2013):
(13 Dec) Final exam solutions are
now up.
(12 Dec) The final exam is up,
and
I will post solutions tonight or tomorrow. I emailed you each your
grades, for each portion and for the course overall, today. Thanks
for you project presentations today and thanks for being guinea pigs
in this experimental course. I think you learned a lot, and I
certainly did as well.
(5 Dec) Practice final solutions are now up.
(2 Dec) The practice final exam is
now up. I will post solutions to this in a few days.
(15 Nov) I have posted text and
solutions for the second midterm.
(1 Nov) I have posted a practice
exam for the second midterm -- I will post
solutions early next week.
(23 Oct) I have posted a revised
syllabus to reflect the schedule changes due to the makeup of
the first midterm. The practice and regular first midterms are up
now, and I hope to get to posting the makeup and its solution soon.
(29 Sept) The practice exam for next Monday's first midterm will
be up shortly.
(6 Sept) We have two enthusiastic students -- I would love to have
more, but I have now committed to go ahead with two if
necessary. (Update -- we wound up with three.)
(6 Sept) I am starting the homework assignment directory
, with the
assignment for Monday.
(31 Jul) Whether this course is offered this term depends on
enrollment. I would like to have at least five students but might
go ahead with as few as two or three. I'm happy to talk (email, phone,
or in person) with anyone about whether the course makes sense for them.
Last modified 13 December 2013