Instructor: Professor Spingarn

Text book: Maurer & Ralston, Discrete Algorithmic Mathematics

Course Objective: To introduce basic techniques in discrete mathematics useful for modeling and solving problems arising in the analysis of algorithms and combinatorial optimization.

General Grading Policy:
- Tests 60%
- Final Exam 40%

Tests: There will be three tests and a final exam. No make-up tests will be given. If you must miss a test for reasons that are beyond your control, your grade will be based on your other exams and you will not be penalized (a missed exam is not recorded as a zero). Calculators are usually not allowed on exams.

Homework: is assigned to provide a basis for recitation section discussions and to help you to prepare for exams and to understand the course content. It will not be collected.

Remark: Whether you choose to attend classes or do homework problems is up to you. The best way to learn is by studying and working problems every day. Mathematics cannot be stuffed into your brain the day before an exam. Some students may abuse this freedom and that is their privelege, but please be aware that there is no grading curve to protect you if you don't work hard.

How to study for an exam: Review your own class notes, any course notes that are posted on the class web site, re-read the assigned portions of the textbook, and work as many homework problems and other problems from the textbook as you possibly can. It is important to remember that there is a big difference between reading someone else's solution to a problem and working it yourself; you can't be sure that you really understand unless you are able to work it by yourself and produce a correct answer.

How do I compute grades? I use several guidelines, but they may conflict with each other. In the end, your grade is whatever I think it should be -- there is no grading algorithm. I will use no grade quotas -- there is no need to give a certain percentage A's or B's or F's. The two sections of this class are graded together as one unit; the teaching assistants do not assign grades. Here are some of the guidelines I will consider:

• A means excellent (in my own personal opinion), B means good, C means you are ready to move on to a more advanced course, D means poor, F means you are almost indistinguishable from someone who didn't take the course.
• I would like the grades to resemble the grades of other sections (not necessarily this semester, but over a long period of time, including many different instructors.)
• If your score on an exam is one half the score of the third highest student in the class, it should be a passing grade.