CS231: Discrete Mathematics

Bryn Mawr College
CS 231/Math 231: Discrete Mathematics
Fall 2008
Course Materials

Information

Texts

Important Dates

Assignments

Syllabus

Grading

Links

General Information

	Rhonda Hughes	Dianna Xu
Office	332 Park Science	246A Park Science
Phone	526-5351	526-6502
Email	rhughes at brynmawr dot edu	dxu at cs dot brynmawr dot edu
WWW	http://www.brynmawr.edu/math/people/rhughes/	http://cs.brynmawr.edu/~dxu
Office hours	MW 1-2 and by appointment	M 2-4 and by appointment

Lecture Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 12:00 pm to 1 pm, Park 338
Problem Sessions: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm to 8pm, Park 338 (Laura)
Python TA hours: Wendesdays 9-10pm, Park 231 (Prissy and Natasha)

Texts

Discrete Mathematics with Applications, 3rd Edition by Susanna Epp, Thomson Learning 2004.

Software: We will be using the Python programming language and the IDLE integrated development environment (IDE) for some simple programming exercises. The labs will be conducted on the Computer Science machines in Room 231. The lab currently run Python 2.4. Python and IDLE can be easily downloaded and installed onto your own Windows or Mac machine by going to http://www.python.org/download/

Programming: No prior programming experience is required

Recommended Python reading: Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science, by John Zelle, Franklin, Beedle & Assoc, 2004

Important Dates

September 3: First lecture
October 6: Midterm 1
November 19: Midterm 2
December 10: Last lecture

Final: self-scheduled

Grading

There are two midterms and a final. Homeworks consist of problem sets as well as a few programming projects in Python. The programming projects do not assume any prior knowledge of Computer Sience or programming. All homeworks and exams will receive a numerical score. Guidelines of letter grades corresponding to lab/exam score levels will be given during the semester. At the end of the semester, a total score (to which the corresponding final grade is assigned) will be calculated from a weighted average of all scores according to the following weights:

Midterms: 25% each
Final: 25%
Homeworks: 25%
Total: 100%

Homework: You are encouraged to work together on the homework, but you should write up your own solutions. Homework that is more than a week late will not be graded. You are allowed two late homeworks (late = after the due date, but less than or equal to one week after the due date!).

Extensions: Tests may not be taken late without advanced permission. Extensions are usually granted ONLY for family emergencies, infirmary or hospical stays, or similiar major crises.

Special Accommodations: Students who think they may need accommodations in this course because of the impact of disability are encouraged to meet with us privately early in the semester. Students should also contact Stephanie Bell, Coordinator of Accessibility Services, at 610-526-7351 in Canwyll House, as soon as possible, to verify their eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Early contact will help avoid unneccessary inconvenience and delays.

Additional readings

A short course in Discrete Mathematics by Bender and Williamson

Python

Created by Dianna Xu on July 12, 2008.