MATH 55
Discrete Mathematics

Instructors:     Dave Bachman, Jemma Lorenat
Office:              Avery 220 (Bachman), Bernard 209 (Lorenat)
Office hours:   MW 10-11, T 9-10 (Bachman), Tuesday 1:30-2:30, Wednesday 2:30-3:30, Thursday 11-12 (Lorenat)
Email:              bachman@pitzer.edu, jlorenat@pitzer.edu
Web:                http://pzacad.pitzer.edu/~dbachman/M55/syllabus.html (this page)
Textbook:        Discrete Mathematics, an open introduction

Written Homework:    Everything you turn in should be written using the LaTeX typesetting package. Many people now use online LaTeX editors, such as Overleaf. If you'd like to install LaTeX on your own machine, and you have a mac, I highly recommend you install TeXShop. PC users may use WinEdt or TeXnic Center. Occasionally we may distribute handouts on using LaTeX, as needed.

Online Homework: Many shorter problems will be done online, on the WebWork platform.

Exams:  There will be four equally weighted examinations, tentatively scheduled for 10/7, 10/23, 11/18, and 12/16 (during finals week).

Participation:   Each class day there will be some problems that you will work on in groups. These will be turned in individually, and will determine your class participation grade.

Content: We will cover Chapters 0, 1, 2.5, 3, 4, and 5.2 in the book.

Grade Distribution:
        10% Class Participation
        10% Online homework
        20% Written Homework
        60% Exams (15% each)

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will practice solving problems and writing proofs in the following areas.
    --Combinatorics: binomial coefficients, binomial expansions, principle of inclusion/exclusion, permutations, sum and product rule, derangements.
    --Mathematical induction and recursive reasoning.
    --Logic: truth-tables, valid arguments, converse and contrapositive, quantifiers, sets.
    --Graph Theory: Eulerian and Hamiltonian paths, planar graphs, colorings.
    --Number Theory: Modular arithmetic, prime and relatively prime numbers