Fall 2022
Math 300H: Honors Foundations of Mathematics   Section 970.


TAMU CoViD-19 Protocols.
Piazza: Sign Up (The access code is the first perfect number of digits of π)     Piazza Class page.
Homework is found on the homework page. A reference for some aspects of using LaTeX to typeset mathematics.
Term Paper: Information for Term paper, including topics. The University Writing Center is a resource to help with your writing.
Instructor: Frank Sottile       Weekly schedule
email: sottile@tamu.edu   Use this sparingly; I prefer to use Piazza.
WWW: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~sottile
Office: Blocker 601K
 Office Hours:   Mondays 11:00–12:00
Thursday 13:00--14:00
By appointment
Grader:   Guadalupe Valles.
Textbook: Mathematical Proofs: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics (4th Edition)
  by Chartrand, Polimeni, and Zhang. We will cover this through Chapter 11 or 12.
  Acceptable electronic version. Earlier editions, such as the 3rd, will be fine.
Lectures: TuΘ: 9:35–10:50 Blocker 605AX     3 Credit Hours
Help Sessions: Mondays and Wednesdays, 18:00—21:00 Blocker 133
Thursdays 18:00—21:00 by Zoom. Link to be posted here
Course Forum: We will be using Piazza as a forum for class discussion.
For technical prolems with that site email team@piazza.com
Course webpage:   www.math.tamu.edu/~sottile/teaching/22.2/300H.html
Departmental page for Math 300


Who is this?

Course Description: Foundations of mathematics including logic, set theory, combinatorics, and number theory.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in MATH 148, MATH 152 or MATH 172, or equivalent.
About Math 300: This class is your first 'real' mathematics class. It forms the foundation for all that comes next. It is a serious course, and will require more of your time than others you may have had. The payoff for you will be enormous, however. My goal is to teach you the formal structure of mathematics; the meaning and uses of Definitions, Examples, Theorems, and Proofs, and in particular how to construct and critique proofs; in short, how to tell truth from fiction, or at least sound arguments from those that are poorly-supported.
Writing Class: This is a 'W' course, and your work will include a term paper, and a number of other writing assignments. To pass this course, you must pass the writing component.
The University Writing Center (UWC) is a resource to help you develop and refine the communication skills vital to success in college and beyond. Currently, you can choose to work with a trained UWC peer consultant via web conference or email. You can schedule an appointment to discuss any kind of writing project. Their consultants can work with you at any stage of your process. To schedule an appointment or to view their handouts, videos, or interactive learning modules, visit writingcenter.tamu.edu.
Special Note: Your goal in this course, as in every course that you ever take, should be a complete mastery of the material. Anything less is aspiring to mediocrity and doing yourself a disservice. I expect you to read the section in the text that we will be covering before we meet. Come to class ready to ask questions about what you do not yet know. After class, re-read the text and your notes, and do some exercises to complete your mastery of the material. Finally, ask questions in class, lots of them, and participate in the discussion on Piazza.. I highly recommend that you read the advice from former students of mine in this class.
More: Continuing in the experimental nature of attending a university during a pandemic, I ask that you be mindful of the risks that you impose on your fellow aggies (and they the risks that they impose on you). I request, and strongly urge, students to test regularly, and not come to class if you are ill (for any reason). I can set up a zoom lecture for you if you have a need to stay away. I note that I am asthmatic and any respiratory illness for me can be serious; typically I have trouble breathing for 4-6 weeks after recovering.
Learning Outcomes: Develop an understanding of the logical structure of mathematics, including the role of definitions and Theorems.
Be able to write proofs of formal statements, as well as verify the correctness of proofs.
Be able to use LaTeX for formatting mathematics.

Grading and coursework  
You will be expected to attend all class meetings; I do keep track of such matters, but allow a few absences before penalties begin. There will be two exams during the term, each worth 20%, three short writing assignments, for a total of 10%, and a mathematical paper for 25%. The remaining 25% will be homework and attendance. There will not be a final exam.

Schedule of Major assignments
First exam:   Thursday, 6 October in class.
Second exam:   Tuesday, 1 December
No Final exam  
Minor Writing Assignments:   1 September, 6 October, 3 November    
Term Paper dates:  
Paper topic:  Tuesday 20 September 5 pts
Paper Outline:  Thursday 13 October 10 pts
Completed Draft:   Thursday 10 November  20 pts
Peer review:  Tuesday 22 November 15 pts
Paper due:  Friday 9 December  100 pts

Emergencies: If you have a valid reason (medical or family emergency) for missing an exam, then I will give you an alternative exam, preferably before the scheduled exam. I will take your word in such a matter; do not make yourself sicker by leaving your sickbed for a doctor's note.
CoViD ammendment: CoViD and other major illnesses have the potential to ruin the semester for you if you get sick. Therefore, if this fate befalls you, I will work with you to on a plan to make sure that it does not adversely impact you in this class. This may include absolving you from some homework and exams, and accomodations for other parts of the course, including zoom lectures. We cannot let an illness interfere with your education.
Homework:
Homework is assigned weekly, and will be due on Tuesdays. It will be marked and returned by the following Tuesday. More details are on the homework page.

    Late homeworks are not accepted. The two lowest homework scores will be dropped before computing your grade.


Important class policies and required legal disclaimers are found here. Please read them.

Last modified: Thu Sep 28 10:58:51 CDT 2023 by sottile