CSC 133 - Discrete Mathematical Structures - Fall 2009

Instructors:
Curry Guinn Office: CI 2045  Phone: 962-7937

Office Hours:	MWF 12:00pm-1:00pm, TR 10:00am-11:00am
	and by appointment.

Email:  guinnc@uncw.edu

UNCW CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION

CSC 133. Discrete Mathematical Structures (4) Prerequisite: MAT 111 or 115, or equivalent. Corequisite: CSC 121. Introduction to discrete mathematics applicable to computer science. Propositional and predicate logic, basic proof techniques, set algebra and Boolean algebra, recursion and induction, trees and graphs, and introductory combinatorics. Four lecture hours each week.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

This (along with CSC 100 and CSC 121) is the among the first required courses for Computer Science majors. Students may declare a major in Computer Science after completion of CSC 100, 121, 133, and 221 with a grade point average of at least 2.5 on these 4 courses.

Students intending to major in Computer Science are encouraged to take CSC 100 (Orientation to Computer Science) and CSC 121 (Discrete Structures) during the same semester as CSC 133. CSC 100 is a required course for majors and minors starting in Fall 2007. 

CSC 133 provides a basic understanding of discrete mathematical topics that are fundamental for academic work in computer science. Many students of this course will find they have familiarity with some of the topics: for instance, truth tables, logical propositions, elements of set theory, as well as basic notions of functions and mathematical induction. Prior work in these areas is not assumed. In this course we will discover that logical propositions are the underlying model of discrete systems. From this modest beginning we develop algorithms and prove their efficacy. Topics include propositional and predicate logic, basic proof techniques, set algebra and Boolean algebra, recursion and induction, trees and graphs, introductory combinatorics, and matrix algebra. The knowledge gained will be extremely useful in upper-level UNCW computer science classes.  

CSC 133 is not an easy course, but students find it rewarding and well worth the effort. Students should expect to spend 5 to 8 hours per week on the course outside of class time.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND CHAPTERS COVERED

Discrete Mathematics with Applications, 3rd Edition,  Susanna S. Epp. ISBN: 0534359450. 

     Publisher Website

     Author Website (with lots of helpful links)

STUDENT RESOURCES 

• Teaching Assistant.   The teaching assistant for this course has not been selected yet.  When this decision is made, this information will be added here.
• Tutors. The Learning Center in Randall Library provides tutors for this class.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING CRITERIA

• Attendance.

Attendance at every class section is expected and required.   There are no make-up tests or quizzes unless there are extreme circumstances.   See me prior to any graded assignment that you anticipate missing to determine whether this will be an excusable absence.   Attendance will be factored into grading as described below. 

• Calculators

Calculators may be used during quizzes and exams.   Calculators may NOT be shared among students during a graded assignment. 

• Academic integrity

Academic dishonesty is not tolerated. According to the UNCW Academic Honor Code (See Section V of you Student Handbook), anyone who knows of a violation of the Code, including giving or receiving information, is expected to report the violation to the course instructor. Please note that in this course, working together on homework is not a violation of the Honor Code. You are encouraged to discuss and compare work but not to copy someone else’s work.  

• Grading
  You should come to lecture prepared by having read the sections that are listed for that day on the class schedule.  Check the schedule at least once a week for updates.
   
  • Quizzes
    Quizzes will serve as milestones between exams and provide valuable feedback. Each quiz will be given during class with varying length between 5 and 20 minutes. Quizzes will cover material from the day's readings as well as previous lectures.  The average of these grades will count 1/6 of your course grade.  The lowest two quizzes will be dropped in the final quiz average.   Generally, there will be one quiz per week.   
  • Homework
    Homework projects are to be completed outside of class. Homework projects will count 1/6 of your course grade. Specific instructions concerning due dates, late programs, assessment criteria, etc., will be given when the programs are assigned. 
  • Exams
    There will be two 100-minute exams. Each exam will count 1/6 of your course grade. Make-up exams will not be given. If a student misses one exam, the grade on the final exam will substitute for it. If a student does not miss any exams, the final will substitute for the lowest exam grade (if the final is higher). If a student has already missed an exam, subsequent missed exams will result in zeroes.
  • Final Exam
    The comprehensive final exam will be given as indicated on the schedule.. The final counts either 1/6 of your course grade, if the final exam grade is lower than your lowest exam, or 2/6 of your course grade, if the final replaces your lowest exam grade. The final exam may not be used to replace your quiz, lab, or program grades.

  • Attendance

    Attendance will be checked every class.   Your attendance grade will be computed by taking the number of classes attended and dividing by the total number of classes.  This grade counts 1/6 of your total grade. 
     

• Course Grade
  A 10-point scale will be used to compute your course grade. If your course score falls just below a cutoff, a higher plus / minus grade may be assigned. Factors that affect this judgment are the distribution of grades, improvement during the semester, and attendance.

      Numeric Score     Letter Grade     Quality Points 
    ====================================================               
       90.0 - 100           A                4.00 
       80.0 - 89.5          B                3.00
       70.0 - 79.5          C                2.00
       60.0 - 69.5          D                1.00
       00.0 - 59.5          F                0.00
  The following algorithm can be used to compute your final grade based on your
    before final average:
  
    if (finalExam < lowestTest) 
        grade = (finalExam + 5 * beforeFinal) / 6;
    else 
        grade = (5 * beforeFinal - lowestTest + 2 * finalExam) / 6; 

  Academic Expectations for Students

  In choosing UNCW, you have become part of our community of scholars. We recognize that the UNCW learning experience is challenging and requires hard work. It also requires a commitment to make time available to do that hard work. The university expects you to make academics your highest priority by dedicating your time and energy to training your mind and acquiring knowledge. Academic success in critical thinking and problem solving prepares you for the changes and challenges you will encounter in the future. Our faculty and academic support resources are readily available as partners in this effort, but the primary responsibility for learning is yours.

  Honor Code

  It is the responsibility of every student to uphold and maintain the UNCW Academic Honor Code (see Section V of your Student Handbook). You violate the honor code when you represent someone else's work as your own. Homework assignments may be collaborative but copying is forbidden.   Please indicate on your homework assignment the persons with which you collaborated. 

  Learning Strategies

  You are expected to take an active role in your learning in this course. This includes regular attendance, paying attention in class, reading the textbook, and completing all course requirements. You are encouraged to study with your classmates outside of class. \

  Policies

  Code of Student Life (PDF)

  UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind.  For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or Wilmington Police at 911.  For University or community resources visit http://uncw.edu/wrc/crisis.htm

  Academic Honor Code

  Students with Disabilities

  If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform the instructor of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, you must register with the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (extension 3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then meet with your instructor to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.

  Student Affairs Disability Services - Policies and Procedures 
  

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  Original by J. A. Tompkins, Modified by C.Guinn