Math3012L Applied Combinatorics

Instructor: Robin Thomas. Office: Skiles 217B.

Meeting times and location: TuTh 3:05-4:25 in Skiles 202
Textbook: Keller and Trotter, Applied Combinatorics. Enrolled students may use the link to download the text for free. You may also purchase a printout at the bookstore.
Prerequisites: Math1502 or Math1512. CS students should complete CS 2050 before taking Math 3012.
Lecture Schedule:

  1. Induction. Here is a handout.
  2. Fundamentals of counting. Permutations and combinations
  3. Generating functions
  4. Recurrence relations
  5. The principle of inclusion and exclusion
  6. Graph theory
  7. Graph algorithms
  8. Network flows

Midterms: Three midterms, scheduled for February 12, March 12 and April 16. The lowest score from the three midterms will be dropped. There will be no make-ups.
Final exam: Tuesday April 28, 11:30AM-2:20PM in Skiles 202.
Grades: 40% midterms, 40% final, 20% homework and/or quizzes.
Regrading policy: If you believe that a mistake in grading has been made you may request that your paper be regraded. Such request must be submitted in writing within one week from the day the graded test has been returned in class, and must be accompanied by the original unaltered paper. The request must state the reason for the regrade and include a signed statement that the paper has not been altered. Please note that if you request a regrade, all problems are subject to review.
Attendance: Attendance at lectures is required.
Homework: Homework will usually be assigned on Thursday, and will be due the next Thursday. Samples will be graded. There will be homework due during the week preceding final exams.

Homework 1 is due January 15. Please access the assignment from t-square.
Honor code: Please refer to the Georgia Tech Honor Code. You are encouraged to study in groups, but any and all work submitted for grading, including homework, must be your own.
Office hours: TuTh 2:00-2:30 and by appointment.
Course information: This text can be accessed at http://www.math.gatech.edu/~thomas/TEACH/3012/. It will be periodically updated.
Getting to know my students: Enrolled students are enouraged to send me a short e-mail about themselves. I am interested in everything you are willing to share, including your past experiences with mathematics (whether good or bad) and your expectations about this course and your future career.

Interested in becoming an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant? The School of Mathematics is now accepting applications. Please visit this link for more information.

Lecture notes: Available from t-square.