Texas College

Division of Natural & Computational Sciences

Area of Mathematics

Basic Mathematical Logic

 

Course Number

MATH 33752

Course Description

A study of truth tables, logically valid statement patterns, and basic first-order predicate calculus; Boolean algebra; sets and equivalence classes; and the nature of mathematical proof.

Textbook

Hausner, Melvin, Discrete Mathematics, Saunders, 1992.

Semester

Spring

Semester Hours

3

Prerequisite

Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.

Instructor

Dr. William Stenger

Office Hours

9–10:Monday,Wednesday, and Friday

8:30–9:30: Tuesday and Thursday

11–noon: Monday and Friday

3–4: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Other times by appointment

Office

113 MSBC

Phone

903-593-8311, ext. 2283

 

 

Prepared by:

William Stenger

Instructor

Date

Approved by:

M.S.T. Namboodiri

Division Chair

Date

 

 

 

Course Goal

To provide essential logical tools for further study in advanced mathematics.

Methods of Instruction

Learning higher mathematics requires effort by the learner working on practice problems and homework problems. The faculty member will support this effort with motivation, examples and discussion.

Methods of Evaluation

We will use practice problems in class, homework assignments, tests, and a final examination to evaluate student performance.

Attendance Policy

The full attendance policy, stated in the Texas College Catalog, applies to this course. Specifically, more than four unexcused absences may result in a grade penalty.

Cell Phones Turn off all cell phones before class begins. If your cell phone goes off during class, I will dismiss you from class and will give you a zero for that day's assignment.
 

Practice Problems

Students should come to class prepared to work practice problems. Students do not have to turn in practice problems done in class.

Notes

Since taking extensive notes provides dubious benefit, we do not encourage this practice. Instead we recommend that students concentrate on understanding the explanations given, doing the practice problems and homework problems, and asking lots of questions.

Homework Problems

At the end of each lesson students should do the assigned exercises. Write your name at the upper right corner of each page and write the chapter number and lesson number at the upper left corner of each page. For instance, you would write 7.2 to identify Chapter 7, Lesson 2. Turn in homework two class periods after the completion of a lesson. After you complete a set of exercises check your work against the answers in the back of the book.

Tentative Test Plan

Review of Chapters 1§, 2§ & 4§ : Test
Chapters 6
§  & 7: Test

§ Selected topics from these chapters.

Final Examination

The comprehensive final examination will count as two regular examinations.

Grade Determination

Let X represent the sum of the test scores. Let Y represent twice the score on the final. Then the semester grade G = (X + Y)/ 4. A grade G ³ 90 will yield an A, G ³ 80, will yield at least a B, G ³ 70, at least a C, and G ³ 60, at least a D. Homework and practice problems will serve as "tie-breakers" for borderline grades and for purposes of mercy.

Important Dates

Mid-term examination: Tuesday, March 4.
Last day to drop with a W: Friday, April 11.

Web Resources

http://www.ams.org/

http://www.calculus.net/

http://www.maa.org/

http://www.nasa.gov/

http://www.nctm.org/

http://www.siam.org/