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 Tue 11-12, Wed 12-1, Fri 2-3 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 my office, room 210 in the Computer Science building (it was moved from LGRC A203 on 15 September.) There will be graded activity in every class section, so attendance is required.
Announcements (24 September 2014):
(24 Sept) And now two students, which is 100% better than one...
(15 Sept) Well, it wound up being one student. After today we
will meet in my office, 210 Computer Science building.
(8 Sept) OK, now we have three students but not the same three students...
(4 Sept) It looks like we have a critical mass of three students
at the original meeting time.
(3 Sept) We had two committed students at the first lecture, and there
is a third student interested. We are discussing by email whether to change
the meeting time, but for now the second lecture is still planned for Friday
at 10:10. The first assignment, due Friday, is posted on the
homework page.
(1 Sept) There are now two people signed up, so we will see what the
interest is at the first class meeting on Wednesday. Please email me if you
would like to learn more about what we are up to.
(22 Aug) There is currently one person signed up for the course,
and I will probably cancel unless I get at least three. The syllabus
will be pretty similar to
the one from last year. We'll see
who shows up for the first class meeting on Wedensday 3 September.
I will be out of town with limited email for the week of 23-30 August,
but will be back the Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend. I'd be happy
to talk with any interested students, by phone, email, or in person, about
whether the course makes sense for you.
Last modified 24 September 2014