Learning Objectives
After taking this course, students will be able to:- Write an argument using logical notation and determine if the argument is or is not valid.
- Demonstrate the ability to write and evaluate a proof or outline the basic structure of and give examples of each proof technique described.
- Understand the basic principles of sets and operations in sets.
- Prove basic set equalities.
- Apply counting principles to determine probabilities.
- Demonstrate an understanding of relations and functions and be able to determine their properties.
- Determine when a function is 1-1 and "onto".
- Understand the basics of discrete probability and number theory, and be able to apply the methods from these subjects in problem solving.
- Be able to use effectively algebraic techniques to analyse basic discrete structures and algorithms.
- Understand asymptotic notation, its significance, and be able to use it to analyse asymptotic performance for some basic algorithmic examples.
- Understand some basic properties of graphs and related discrete structures, and be able to relate these to practical examples.
Course Materials
This course will use the book Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications by Kenneth Rosen, 7th Edition (Amazon link).Course Structure
5002 has lectures, weekly quizzes, assignments, a midterm and a final.
Lectures
Lectures will cover the material introduced in the readings. It is expected that you do the readings before class.
Quizzes
Weekly quizzes will be given at the start of class. The quiz will be based on the reading for the week. Each quiz is graded either exemplary-competent-novice: We will be looking for evidence that you did the reading and understood the previous lecture. The quiz will allow you (and us) to assess your understanding of the weekly reading. If you understand the weekly reading, lecture and assignments will be easier to understand.
Assignments
Assignments are written, and will give you practice applying the concepts covered in class and readings the previous week. They will be released on Mondays, and due at midnight the following Monday.
Midterm and Final
The midterm and final will focus on the class material. It will test material from lectures, assignments, and the assigned reading, and will assess whether students have mastered the material. The final will primarily cover material introduced in the second half of the semester.
Staff
To contact the course staff as a whole, please use Piazza unless you need to email a staff member individually. You can post a private question on Piazza if you do not want your communication to be visible to the other students in the class.
| Role | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | Adrienne Slaughter | a.slaughter@northeastern.edu |
| Lectures | Tamara Bonaci | t.bonaci@northeastern.edu |
| TAs | Josh Veden | veden.j@husky.neu.edu |
| Collin Smith | smith.collin@husky.neu.edu | |
| Ankur Bohra | bohra.a@husky.neu.edu | |
| Yuan Cai | cai.yua@husky.neu.edu | |
| Simeng Hua | hua.s@husky.neu.edu | |
| Anthony Meiser | meisen.a@husky.neu.edu | |
| Brian Lam | lam.b@husky.neu.edu | |
| Shitan Yang | yang.shitan@husky.neu.edu | |
| Min Dai | dai.m@husky.neu.edu |
Grading
The class will consists of individual assignments and a final exam.
| Homework | 60% |
| Weekly Quizzes | 10% |
| Midterm | 15% |
| Final | 15% |
The final grade for a student is calculated as the weighted average of the preceding list and rounded up to the nearest integer. The mapping to a letter grade uses the following scale
| A | [95, 100] |
| A- | [90, 94] |
| B+ | [85, 89] |
| B | [80, 84] |
| B- | [75, 79] |
| C+ | [70, 74] |
| C | [65, 69] |
| C- | [60, 64] |
| D | [0, 59] |
Extensions
Late assignments will not be accepted unless you have explicit instructions from the instructor.
Late Policy
You must hand in assignments when they are due, and you must attend the midterm and final at the scheduled time. If you feel you have a compelling reason for not handing in an assignment on time, please talk to Dr. Slaughter or Dr. Bonaci in advance.If you miss an assignment deadline, you should still hand in the assignment; we'll give you feedback even though we won't give you credit for your final grade. Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due at midnight on their assigned due-date.
Collaboration
You may not collaborate on quizzes. On assignments, it's okay to discuss ideas with your classmates, but you should not be collaborating on the actual answers. You should do the write-up of your assignment by yourself.
Academic Integrity
The University views academic dishonesty as one of the most serious offenses that a student can commit while in college and imposes appropriate punitive sanctions on violators. Here are some examples of academic dishonesty. While this is not an all-inclusive list, we hope this will help you to understand some of the things instructors look for. The following is excerpted from the University's policy on academic integrity; the complete policy is available in the Student Handbook.
- Cheating: intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in an academic exercise
- Fabrication: intentional and unauthorized falsification, misrepresentation, or invention of any data, or citation in an academic exercise
- Plagiarism: intentionally representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one's own in any academic exercise without providing proper citation
- Unauthorized collaboration:instances when students submit individual academic works that are substantially similar to one another; while several students may have the same source material, the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of the data must be each individual's independent work.
- Participation in academically dishonest activities: any action taken by a student with the intent of gaining an unfair advantage
- Facilitating academic dishonesty: intentionally or knowingly helping or a ttempting to violate any provision of this policy
- Impersonation: working on behalf of another students or allowing someone else to represent a student online, in discussion groups, during quizzes, or exams
If you are found to have violated academic integrity in some way, the instructor will decide the appropriate penalty, ranging from a 0 on the assignment to reporting to the administration.