MAT 300 – Techniques of Proof
Fall, 2019 – Course Syllabus
MWF 12:00–12:50,  Bacon 214A
Instructor Daniel Cunningham
Office Buchham Hall A255
Phone 878-6422 (leave message)
E-mail
 Send Email to Me 
Office Hours W 2-3, Thur 11-1

Textbook: A Logical Introduction to Proof, by Daniel W. Cunningham, purchase in BSC bookstore.

Course web page: Go to http://faculty.buffalostate.edu/cunnindw and select  MAT300  link.

Course Topics: We will cover selected subjects from the following chapters of the textbook:

Chapter  Title
1 Propositional Logic
2 Predicate Logic
3 Proof Strategies and Diagrams
4
 Mathematical Induction
5
 Set Theory
6
 Functions
7
 Relations

Examinations: There will be three exams in the course: two preliminary exams and a final exam. No electronic devices or notes will be allowed during in-class exams. If you are unable to take an exam, you must contact me in advance of the scheduled exam time. If you fail to take an exam and you do not contact me prior to the scheduled exam time, you will receive a score of 0 on the missed exam. There are no make-up exams.

Homework Quizzes: On each Friday, there will he a quiz consisting of one or two of the recently assigned homework problems. No electronic devices or notes will be allowed during in-class quizzes. There will be no make-up quizzes; instead, I will drop your two lowest quiz scores.

Attendance: Regular attendance is expected.

Grading Policy: Grades will depend on your performance on the exams and homework. Scores will be weighted as follows:


 Total Points
 Percent of grade
Exam 1 100 25%
Exam 2 100 30%
Final 100 30%
HW Quizzes
 100 15%
Total 400 100%

Your grade will be determined by a standard class curve. Roughly speaking 90% or higher is in the A range, 80-89% a B, 70-79% a C, 60-69% a D. Below 60% is an E.  If you have taken both Exams 1 and 2, then your lowest score received in Exam 1 or Exam 2 will be replaced with any higher final exam score. For example, suppose that your  exam 1, exam 2 scores are 82, 50 and your final exam score is 88. Your scores for all the exams will be recorded as 82, 88, 88.  If you do not take both Exam 1 and Exam 2, then your final exam score will not replace any Exam 1 or Exam 2 score. If you do not take the Final Examination, then you will fail the course. The plus/minus grading system will be used, e.g., C+ and A- are possible grades.