MAT 430 – Set Theory
Spring, 2020 – Course Syllabus
Student Learning Objectives: Students will discover, construct and compose valid mathematical proofs in set theory.

Instructor Daniel Cunningham
Office Buckham Hall A255
Phone 878-6422 (leave message)
E-mail
 cunnindw 'at' buffalostate 'dot' edu
Office Hours MWF  ??

Text Book: Set Theory: A First Course, Cambridge University Press, 2016 (Amazon).

Course web page: http://faculty.buffalostate.edu/cunnindw/

We will cover selected topics from each of the following chapters in the notes:

Chapter  Title        
1 Introduction
2 Basic Set Building Axioms and Operations
3 Relations and Functions
4
 The Natural Numbers
5
 On the Size of Sets Untitled
6
 Transfinite Recursion
7
 The Axiom of Choice (revisited)
8
 Ordinals
9
 Cardinal Numbers

Examinations: There will be two exams in the course: one midterm exam and a final exam. No electronic devices are allowed during in-class exams. If you are ill or unable to take an exam for any reason, 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. 

Homework: Late homework will not be accepted; however, your two lowest homework scores will be dropped. One of the goals of this course is to communicate precise and correct mathematics. Thus, sloppy and unorganized homework will not be accepted and will receive no credit. 

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
 Midterm 100 20%
 Final 100 30%
 Homework 100 50%
 Total 300 100

Your grade will be determined by the 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, then I will replace a your midterm score with any higher final exam score. For example, suppose that your midterm score is 75 and your final exam score is 88. Your scores for all the exams will be recorded as  88, 88.  The plus/minus grading system will be used, e.g., C+ and A- are possible grades.