MHF 3302, Logic and Proof in Mathematics, Fall 2009

Course data
Course Title: Logic and Proof in Mathematics
Catalog Number: MHF 3302, Section 0L01
Class Number: 88485
Credit Hours: 3
Meeting times: Monday and Wednesday, 3:30 - 4:45 PM
Course Location: BA 214
Professor: Michael Reid
Office: MAP 231C
Office Hours: Monday 5:00 - 6:30, Wednesday 5:00 - 6:30, Thursday 3:00 - 4:00, Friday 1:30 - 2:30, and also by appointment.
No appointment is needed during regular office hours.
Phone: x3-6462
E-mail: (please use text/plain format only)
Required textbook: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics, 6th Edition, by Douglas Smith, Maurice Eggen and Richard St. Andre
Recommended textbook: How to Read and Do Proofs, 4th Edition, by Daniel Solow
Course Web page: http://www.math.ucf.edu/~reid/Teaching/Fall2009/mhf3302.html
Prerequisites
MAC 2311, and MAC 2312 is a co-requisite.
Course description and goals
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of theoretical Mathematics. We will cover mathematical logic, techniques of proof, including induction and the well-ordering principle, basic set theory, functions, relations and cardinalities. Students will also learn the skill of constructing and writing rigorous proofs.
Grades
I prefer students to focus on learning, instead of worrying about grades. If you learn the material well, and demonstrate that on the exams, your grade will take care of itself.
Grading formula
Homework: 15%
First Midterm: 25%
Second Midterm: 25%
Final Exam: 35%

The standard gradelines are 90% for an A, 80% for a B, 70% for a C and 60% for a D. If appropriate, there may be a curve which would ease these cutoffs, but you should not count on that. Plus and minus grades will be used.
The NC grade is not available in this course.
Exams
Each in-class exam will be announced a week or two before it is given. The final exam is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th at 1 PM. Exams may not be missed, and makeups will not be given for any reason other than documented emergencies.
Homework
Homework is an important part of this class. Regular homework will be assigned, and a subset will be designated for you to turn in for grading. You are expected to do all of the assigned problems, not just those for turn-in. Homework must be written neatly and stapled together. Credit will not be given for homework that is excessively sloppy or messy. Late homework will not be accepted. If you're behind schedule, complete as much as you can, and turn that in.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend every lecture. You are responsible for knowing the contents of every lecture as well as important announcements.
Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off so that you can devote all of your attention to the lecture. In general, students should be respectful of their classmates and the instructor (i.e. do not be a distraction).
Special Accommodations
Anyone who needs special accommodations for this class must let me know during the first week of the semester (by September 2nd at the very latest).
Last updated: August 23, 2009