[Math 1120 Home | Assignments]

Math 1120B: Introduction to Proof Techniques

Please check the assignment page and this page regularly for announcements and other information.

The first class is on Monday, January 3, 2011, and will be a regular class.

Section 1
Instructor: Nicole Lemire
Office: Middlesex 103C
Phone: 519-661-2111 x86533
E-mail: nlemire at uwo dot ca
Office Hours: M 2:30-3:30, W 9:30-10:30, F 11:30-12:30
TA: TBA
 
Class times: MWF 1:30-2:30pm
Class location: SSC 3018
 
Text: Mathematical Proofs, A Transition to Advanced Mathematics, Second Edition, by Gary Chartrand, Albert D. Polimeni, and Ping Zhang, published by Pearson Addison Wesley
Prerequisites: One or more of Ontario Secondary School MCV4U, the former Ontario Secondary School MGA4U, Mathematics 1600A/B, the former Linear Algebra 1600A/B, or the former Mathematics 017a/b
Antirequisites: Mathematics 2155A/B
Course website: http://www.math.uwo.ca/~nlemire/1120

Course outline:

Primarily for students interested in pursuing a degree in one of the mathematical sciences. Logic, set theory, relations, functions and operations, careful study of the integers, discussion of the real and complex numbers, polynomials, and infinite sets.

Link to UWO course calendar.

Evaluation of Student Performance:

Assignments: 20%
Midterm Examinations:  20% each (there will be 2)
Final Examination: 40%

There will be between 8 and 10 assignments. They are due at the beginning of class. Click here for a list of exercises and the procedures for handing in homework. The lowest (or missing) assignment grade will be dropped when computing the course grade.

What is expected of the student:

Math 1120 is an introduction to the methods and ways of thinking in modern mathematics. While studying the topics outlined on the syllabus below, you will learn to read and write mathematical proofs. This is perhaps the most important single intellectual feature of mathematics over the last two hundred years, and is correspondingly an essential step in moving on to more advanced topics in later courses. Assignments will be an important part of the course, so that you will have the feedback you will need to develop new skills. Accordingly, Math 060 is a demanding course, and you should be prepared for a time commitment of at least six hours per week. There will be approximately one assignment per week. Homework will be posted regularly on my webpage (see above) and collected in class.

The assignments are to be thought of as take-home exams and should be done entirely on your own. All those involved in copying will receive a negative grade on the assignment in question. In addition, all academic offenses will be reported to the Dean's office, and may result in further penalties. Regarding Scholastic Offences and Penalties, see pp. 23-26 of the Academic Calendar or refer to Scholastic Discipline for Undergraduates.

Syllabus:

Here is a brief outline of the topics in Math 1120. We will cover most of the material in Chapters 1-11 of the text plus some additional material. If there is time, we will touch on some topics in Chapter 12.

Important Senate Policy

Students are responsible for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded and that all course prerequisites have been successfully completed. If the student does not have the prerequisites for a course, and does not have written special permission from his or her Dean to enroll in the course, the student may be removed from the course and it will be deleted from the student's record. This decision may not be appealed. A student will receive no adjustment to his or her fees in the event that he or she is dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

Statement on Academic Offences

Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at this web site.

Midterm Information

The first midterm examination will be held on Tuesday, February 8 from 7-8:30pm in Talbot College 205.

The midterm will cover Chapters 1,2,3,4 (i.e. the first 4 assignments). Study your notes, text, and assignments. Here are some additional practice problems They are only intended for practice not as a model for the midterm.

The second midterm examination will be held on Tuesday, March 15 from 7-8:30pm in Talbot College 205.

The 2nd midterm will cover Chapters 4,5,6,8. Study your notes, text and assignments (up to and including Assignment 7). Here is a review of the material. It includes reference to Chapter 7, which is a review of Chapters 3-6.

Final Exam Information

The final exam will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011 from 2-5pm in WSC 240.

The final will be cumulative. We have covered Chapters 1-11. Study your notes, text and assignments. There is a problem set on the assignment page for Chapter 11 which is not to be handed in but is good practice for that material. Here is a review of the material covered in the course.

There will be a review session on Friday, April 8 from 1:30-2:30 in Middlesex College 108. Please come prepared to ask questions.

Please read the section below if you have a conflict with either exam.

Make-up exams and conflicts

If you know ahead of time that you are unable to attend a midterm or final exam, you must let your instructor know at least two weeks in advance so alternative arrangements can be made. See also the University's policy on final exam conflicts.

If you have a conflict with another final exam, you must contact Rob Downes in the Registrar's Office by mid March to arrange a special time/place to write the final. If you have a conflict with a midterm for a year-long course, you must contact the instructor of the other course. If you have three final exams in 3 consecutive periods, you must contact the Dean of your faculty. In all cases, please let your instructor know.

Medical Excuse Regulations

If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, you must provide valid medical or other supporting documentation to the Dean's Office as soon as possible and contact your instructor immediately. It is the student's responsibility to make alternative arrangements with his or her instructor once the accommodation has been approved and the instructor has been informed. In the event of a missed final exam, a "Recommendation of Special Examination" form must be obtained from the Dean's Office immediately. For further information please see: University policy on medical excuses.

A student requiring academic accommodation due to illness, should use the Student Medical Certificate when visiting an off-campus medical facility or request a Record's Release Form (located in the Dean's Office) for visits to Student Health Services. The form can be found at this web site.

Failure to follow these rules will result in a grade of zero.

Accessibility Statement

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 661-2111 x 82147 for any specific questions regarding an accommodation.

Please check the exercises page and the course web page regularly for announcements and other information.

Western Mathematics Home Page