Discrete Structures (810:080), Spring 2002

Time and Place: 8:00-9:15 Tuesday and Thursday in Wright 5

Instructor: Mark Fienup (fienup@cs.uni.edu)

Office: Wright Hall 321

Phone: 273-5918 (Home 266-5379)

Office Hours: M 9-11, 2-3; T 2-3; W 9-11, 2-3; Th 2-3; F 10-11

Prerequisite or Corequisite: Introduction to Computing (810:051) or Computer Science I (810:059). Talk to me individually if you do not satisfy this requirement.

Goals: The goal of this course is to prepare you mathematically for "Discrete" topics needed by much of the Computer Science major and minor.

Text: "Mathematical Structures for Computer Science" by Gersting, fourth edition, W. H. Freeman and Company, ISBN 0-7167-8306-1.

Assignments: Assignments will be mostly "pencil-and-paper" exercises, however we might have some computer based exercises.

Pedagogic Approach: In class, I'll tend to break up the lecture with active and group learning exercises to aid learning. While this is not formally graded, part (9%) of your grade will be based on your participation of these in-class activities. Students benefit by (1) increased depth of understanding, (2) increased comfort and confidence, (3) increased motivation, and (4) being better prepared to work in groups on the job. This might sound great, but it will require you (and me) to work differently to prepare for class. Before the class, you must read the assigned reading, thought about what I've asked you to think about, etc.; otherwise you won't be able to effectively participate in your group during class.

Grading policy: There will be three tests (including the final). I'll announce tests at least one week in advance to allow you time to prepare. Tentative weighting of course components is:

In-class Work: 9 %

Assignments: 22 %

In-class Test 1: 22 % (February 28)

In-class Test 2: 22 % (early April)

Final: 25 % (8-9:50 a.m. Tuesday, May 7)

Grades will be assigned based on a curve. Plus and minus grades will be assigned for students near cutoff points.

Special Notice: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with a disability, who require assistance, will need to contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for coordination of academic accommodations. The ODS is located at 213 Student Services Center. Their phone number is 319/273-2676.