COURSE SYLLABUS

MAT173 Discrete Mathematics

Section A
Fall 2017

Instructor Name: Mr. Mathew Kerns

Office Location/Office Hours: C 115 G Monday 3-5 pm, Tuesday 1-3 pm,
Thursday 10-11 am
Phone Number: 762-4651 ext. 8909
Email: mkerns@fmcc.edu
Website: www.mathmovers.com
Materials: Discrete Mathematics, Irani, zyBook and code, Scientific
Calculator

Course Description
MAT 173 Discrete Mathematics 4-0-4
Introduction to the non-continuous side of mathematics; methods of proof, logic,
sets, relations, functions, and number theory, mathematical induction, counting
techniques and graph theory. This course is designed for students who plan to major
in mathematics or computer science. Prerequisite: Grade of C or above in MAT
170 or permission of the Instructor.

Course Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:
1. Prove a statement using direct proof, proof by cases, proof by contrapositive, or
proof by contradiction.
2. Prove a statement using mathematical induction.
3. Determine the recursive formula of a sequence.
4. Perform set operations.
5. Calculate probabilities using permutations and combinations.

SUNY General Education Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models such as formulas,
graphs, tables and schematics;
2. Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and
verbally;
3. Employ quantitative methods such as, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, or statistics
to solve problems;
4. Estimate and check mathematical results for reasonableness; and
5. Recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods.
Student Responsibilities
1. Exams
There will be 5 exams in this class. The exams will be worth 100 points each.
Exam 1 will cover chapter 1
Exam 2 will cover chapter 2
Exam 3 will cover chapter 3
Exam 4 will cover chapters 4 and 6
Exam 5 will cover chapters 8 and 9
Exam 6 will cover chapters 10 and 11
Exam dates will be announced in class and will generally occur two class periods
after we finish the last chapter encompassed on the exam. I will drop the lowest
exam score from exams 1 to 6. If you miss an exam, that will be your dropped
score. If a take home test is ever given, you must be present during the entire class
period to receive the test, and you must be present during the entire class period in
which the test is due. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the forfeiture of
you being able to take the test. THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS GIVEN
FOR ANY REASON. Exams will be of a collaborative nature, and you will work with
one partner on each exam. Extra credit will be given for students receiving an A,
B, or C on any test. A student will receive 5 additional points for an A, 3
additional points for a B, and 1 additional point for a C. These additional points
will be added directly to that exam score.

2. Final Exam
There will be a final exam given during the schools final exam period. It will be
cumulative and worth 200 points. Students with an 85 or higher overall average will
not be required to take the final exam and will receive the appropriate letter grade
based on your current average. If you are not required to take the final but take it
anyway, your grade can only improve. The final course grade will be determined by
whichever is higher, the overall course average or the final exam grade. For
example, if your overall course grade is a 75 and you earn a 90 on the final, then
your final course grade will be a 90. Any student with less than an 85 is required to
take the final, and anyone required to take the final that does not do so will fail the
course.

3. Homework
Homework will be assigned at the end of every class and will be discussed during
the next class session. The homework will be collected for a completion grade of 3
points per assignment. You should plan to complete each assignment. Homework
should be thought of as practice in order to learn the material and to do well on
exams. Since this course is based mainly on proofs and their constructions, it is
imperative to practice with the homework. Homework will be based on the
questions in each lecture section of the electronic course textbook. There are
approximately 61 assignments and 60 of them will be graded. Homework will not
be accepted once a test has been given over that material.

4. Quizzes
There will be no quizzes given throughout the semester.

5. Cell Phones, Laptops, and any Electronic Devices

These are not needed nor permitted in class. Please turn off all devices and store
them away during each class session. CELL PHONES ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR
CALCULATORS. If you have a cell phone out during a quiz or exam, it will be
considered cheating, and you will receive a zero on that quiz or exam. The first
offense for violating this rule will be a verbal warning. The second, and subsequent,
offense will result in the reduction of your overall grade by 5 percentage points for
each offense. If there is a documented reason for a laptop, you must first provide
the documentation.

6. Common Courtesies
Talk with your friends before or after class but not during.
No headphones are to be worn in class.
Arrive on time with paper, textbook, calculator, and all electronics turned off.
No calculator sharing is allowed. Each student must use/provide their own.

7. Extra Help
If you find yourself struggling at any point during the course, please see me
immediately! Be sure to come to office hours for extra help. If you cannot make it
during the posted office hours, please see me after class or email me to make an
appointment. The sooner you seek help the better!! You can also take advantage
of the Math Lab located in the Evans Library for additional tutoring services.

Course Content and Outline

Chapter Topics
1 Logic
1.1 Propositions and Logical Operations
1.2 Compound Propositions
1.3 Conditional Statements
1.4 Logical Equivalence
1.5 Laws of Propositional Logic
1.6 Predicates and Quantifiers
1.7 Quantified Statements
1.8 DeMorgans Law For Quantified Statements
1.9 Nested Quantifiers
1.11 Logical Reasoning
1.12 Rules of Inference With Propositions
1.13 Rules of Inference With Quantifiers
Exam #1 (will cover Chapter 1)
2 Proofs
2.1 Introduction To Proofs
2.2 Direct Proofs
2.3 Proof by Contrapositive
2.4 Proof by Contradiction
2.5 Proof by Cases
 Exam #2 (will cover Chapter 2)
3 Sets
3.1 Sets and Subsets
3.2 Sets of Sets
3.3 Union and Intersection
3.4 More Set Operations
3.5 Set Identities
3.6 Cartesian Products
3.7 Partitions
Exam #3 (will cover Chapter 3)
4 Functions
4.1 Definition of Functions
4.2 Floor and Ceiling
4.3 Properties of Functions
4.4 Inverse of a Function
4.5 Composition of Functions
4.6 Logarithms and Exponents
6 Relations/Digraphs
6.3 Directed Graphs
6.6 Matrix Multiplication
Exam #4 (will cover Chapters 4 and 6)
8 Induction and Recursion
8.1 Sequences
8.2 Recurrence Relations
8.3 Summations
8.4 Mathematical Induction
8.5 More Inductive Proofs
8.6 Strong Induction
8.7 Recursive Definitions
8.11 Linear Recurrence Relations
9 Integer Properties
9.1 Division Algorithm
9.2 Modular Arithmetic
9.3 Prime Factorization
9.4 Factoring and Primality Testing
9.5 GCD and Euclids Algorithm
9.6 Number Representation
Exam #5 (will cover Chapters 8 and 9)
10 Introduction to Counting
10.1 Sum and Product Rules
10.2 Bijection Rule
10.3 Generalized Product Rule Permutations
10.4 Counting Permutations
10.5 Counting Subsets
10.6 Subset and Permutation Examples
10.7 Counting By Complement
10.8 Permutations With Repetitions
10.9 Counting Multisets
 10.10 Assignment Problems: Balls in Bins
10.11 Inclusion-Exclusion Principle
11 Advanced Counting
11.1 Generating Permutations and Combinations
11.2 Binomial Coefficients
11.3 Pigeonhole Principle
11.4 Generating Functions
Exam #6 (will cover Chapters 10, 11, and 12*)
R Review
Final Exam (will cover Chapters 1-4, 6, 8-12)

Grading Method
Numerical grades will be calculated by dividing the total points earned by the total
points possible.
Exams 500 Points (5 best scores, 100 points each, worth 74% of
your grade)
Homework 180 Points (60 assignments, 3 points each, worth 26% of
your grade)
Total 680 Points
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Final 200 Points
Final course grade will be determined by the higher average between the exams
and quizzes versus the final exam.

Grading Scale

A 609-680
B 541-608
C 473-540
D 405-472
F 0-404

Attendance Policy
Attendance is an important part of the learning process. As such, you should attend
the full class every day. There is a direct correlation between attendance and your
grade. Without regular attendance, it is difficult to succeed in this class and you
may miss important announcements regarding course material and exams and
quizzes. Students are expected to attend class in a regular and punctual manner. If
you miss class, it is your responsibility to get any missed work. Anyone attaining
perfect attendance for the entire semester will receive 20 extra credit points added
on to their final points total for the class.

Students with Disabilities Policy:

Fulton-Montgomery Community College is committed to providing reasonable
accommodations, including core services, to qualified students with disabilities. For
additional information, go to:
http://www.fmcc.edu/admissions/students-with-disabilities/

Academic Integrity Policy:

Academic integrity refers to a code of values that support and direct the education
process. This code is based on legal, ethical, and educational concerns. Education in
large part consists of the acquisition and demonstration of knowledge according to
acceptable standards. Students must be familiar with these standards and will be
held accountable for their use. Not being familiar with these standards is not an
excuse for their breach. http://www.fmcc.edu/academics/programs/academic-
integrity-policy/

Campus Civility Statement:

FM is committed to fostering an environment of civility. All members of the FM
community and visitors have the right to experience and the responsibility to create
and maintain an environment of mutual respect and support that is civil in all
aspects of human relations. Civility facilitates professional growth and achievement
and promotes an environment where each person can reach his or her full potential.
FMCC Math Lab:
The FMCC Math Lab, located on the 2nd floor of the Evans Library, is available to all
students who seek assistance with math or physical science (Physics, Chemistry,
etc.) courses. We offer one-on-one or small group tutoring on a drop-in basis.
There are peer or professional tutors available throughout the day. Computers are
available for online homework assignments.

FM Sustainability Statement

The Sustainability Committee at FM looks for opportunities across campus that

would reduce waste; maximize our energy efficiency; and minimize the Colleges
impact on the environment. The committee also looks for opportunities to foster
awareness and education of sustainability efforts; large and small. Sustainability
efforts at FM look to involve as many constituent groups on campus and in the local
community as possible.

Disclaimer
All policies and subsections of this syllabus are subject to change and revision at the
instructors discretion. I reserve the right to implement missed tests and quizzes on
a case-by-case basis. If you are diligent with your work and attend lecture on a
regular basis and participate actively in class, then I may allow missed work to be
made up. You may come to me and discuss your individual situation to see whether
it merits a make-up item or not. If you are habitually absent and are not performing
well in class, then the likelihood of you being allowed to make-up any material
missed will be severely limited. Again, this will be decided on a case-by-case,
individual basis. All tests and/or quizzes that are permitted to be made up must be
done so before they are passed back to the rest of the class which is usually one
day.