MATH 150-A2

Discrete Mathematics

Instructor

Daniel Gotshall
E-mail: dgotshal at ur dot rochester dot edu
Lectures: Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs 9:00-11:15AM on zoom. Go to the Link posted in Math 150 blackboard.
Office Hours: On zoom 1:30-2:30p.m. Tues/Thurs, with an extra hour 1:30-3:30p.m. on Tuesdays on exam weeks.

Text

Discrete Mathematics and its Applications (8th edition) by Kenneth H. Rosen. The content is the same in the 7th edition, which you are welcome to use. However, be aware that homework problems will be assigned out of the 8th edition and the problem numbers between editions may not match.

Prerequisites

Although there is no formal prerequisite for this course, strong precalculus skills are necessary and we recommend finishing Math 141/161 before attempting Math 150.

Course Topics

For a detailed list of course topics, see the course schedule here:

Exams and Grading

There will be a midterm exam and a final exam conducted online at the following times:

Midterm 1
Thursday, May 30, 9:00-10:15AM.
Midterm 2
Friday, June 14, 9:00-10:15AM.
Final Exam
Friday, June 28, 9:00AM-12:00PM.

Note: The final exam is comprehensive, covering the entire course. Exams are conducted on gradescope and you will be required to have your camera open on zoom while you take the exam. The presence of calculators, cell phones, and other electronic devices at this exam is strictly forbidden.

Your grade for the course will be based on your performance on exams and homework:

  • WeBWorK assignments - 10%
  • Written homework - 20%
  • Midterm Exam - 30%
  • Final Exam - 40%

The following is a rough indication of how your course grade will be assigned and exact grade cutoffs will be determined at the end of the semester:

> 90% will guarantee at least an A-
> 80% will guarantee at least a B-
> 70% will guarantee at least a C-
> 60% will guarantee at least a D-
< 60% potentially failing

Incomplete “I” grades are almost never given. The only justification is a documented serious medical problem or a genuine personal/family emergency. Falling behind in this course or problems with workload on other courses are not acceptable reasons.

Homework

Written homework will be due each Wednesday and Friday at 1:00pm, starting the first week of class. Each written homework problem will be weighted equally and the lowest 5% of your problem scores will be dropped from your grade (i.e. you are allowed to miss 5% of written homework problems, without penalty). See the course schedule here:

Homework is submitted on gradescope, an online grading platform. Instructions for submitting on gradescope can be found on the homework rules page:

Your lowest written homework score will be dropped.

Webwork

Webwork sets will be due each Wednesday and Friday at 1:00pm, starting the first week of class.

Each webwork problem will be weighted equally and the lowest 5% of your problem scores will be dropped from your grade (i.e. you are allowed to miss 5% of webwork problems, without penalty).

To access webwork click the Webwork link in Course Materials on the Math 150 blackboard site.

Academic honesty

All assignments and activities associated with this course must be performed in accordance with the University of Rochester’s Academic Honesty Policy. More information is available at: www.rochester.edu/college/honesty.

In this class, you are encouraged to discuss homework with each other, but your work must be your own, and you may not copy someone else’s answers. The detailed policy on homework collaboration can be found on the Homework Rules page.

Be aware of the Mathematics Department policy on unauthorized online resources:
Any usage whatsoever of online solution sets or paid online resources (chegg.com or similar) is considered an academic honesty violation and will be reported to the Board on Academic Honesty. In particular, any assignment found to contain content which originated from such sources is subject to a minimum penalty of zero on the assignment and a full letter grade reduction at the end of the semester (e.g. a B would be reduced to a C). This applies even if the unauthorized content was obtained through indirect means (through a friend for instance) and/or the student is seemingly unaware that the content originated from such sources. If you have any questions about whether resources are acceptable, please check with your instructor.

Disability Support

The University of Rochester respects and welcomes students of all backgrounds and abilities. In the event you encounter any barrier(s) to full participation in this course due to the impact of disability, please contact the Office of Disability Resources. The access coordinators in the Office of Disability Resources can meet with you to discuss the barriers you are experiencing and explain the eligibility process for establishing academic accommodations. You can reach the Office of Disability Resources at: (585) 275-3424; Taylor Hall. Or, visit Disability Resources.

Please note that to be granted alternate testing accommodations, you (the student) must fill out forms with Disability Resources at least seven days before each and every exam. These forms are not sent automatically. Instructors are not responsible for requesting alternative testing accommodations at CETL or making accommodations on their own.

College Credit-Hour Policy

This course follows the College credit hour policy for four-credit courses. This course meets 3 academic hours per week. Students may also be expected to deepen their understanding of the course material through close examination/evaluation of the readings assigned in the course.