Math 368: Introduction to Abstract Mathematical Structures
Fall 2011

Instructor: Sarah Witherspoon
Email: sjw AT math.tamu.edu
Office and hours: Milner 322, drop in TR 1:30-3:30 pm, or make an appointment at another time.

Course web address: /~sjw/math368.html

Class meetings: MWF 10:20-11:10 in BLOC 149
Text: Bond and Keane, An Introduction to Abstract Mathematics, 2007, Waveland Press, ISBN 978-1577665397.



Course requirements and grades
Course prerequisites: Math 366 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.
There will be three in-class exams, each worth 1/6 of your grade, and one final exam, worth 1/3 of your grade. The homework assignments combined are worth 1/6 of your final grade. Grades are assigned as follows based on your average:
A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (0-59%).

Course description
3.0 credits. Mathematical proofs, sets, relations, functions, infinite cardinal numbers, algebraic structures, structure of the real line; designed primarily for elementary teacher certification.

Learning objectives
Chapter 1: Understand statements, negations, quantifiers, implications, and writing proofs. Chapter 2: Understand and prove statements about sets, subsets, unions, and intersections. Chapter 3: Understand functions and their properties, images, inverse images, and composition. Chapter 4: Understand relations and binary operations. Chapter 5: Understand properties of integers and proofs by mathematical induction. Chapter 6: Understand infinite sets and countability. Chapter 7: Understand the field of real numbers.



Weekly Schedule (tentative)
Week 1 (8/29-9/2): 1.1, 1.2
Week 2 (9/5-9/9): 1.3, 1.4
Week 3 (9/12-9/16): 2.1, 2.2
Week 4 (9/19-9/23): Exam 1 Wednesday 9/21
Week 5 (9/26-9/30): 2.3, 3.1, 3.2
Week 6 (10/3-10/7): 3.3, 5.1
Week 7 (10/10-10/14): 5.2
Week 8 (10/17-10/21): Exam 2 Wednesday 10/19
Week 9 (10/24-10/28): 5.3, 5.4, 4.1
Week 10 (10/31-11/4): 4.2, 5.5
Week 11 (11/7-11/11): 6.1, 6.2
Week 12 (11/14-11/18): Exam 3 Wednesday 11/16
Week 13 (11/21-11/23): 7.1
Week 14 (11/28-12/2): 7.2, 7.3
Week 15 (12/5, 12/9): Review, Final Exam Friday 12/9, 3-5 pm



Homework will be assigned approximately once per week. It must be turned in on time. For full credit on the homework, you must show all work and justify your answers. Working together on homework is fine, but each of you should write up your own solutions.

Calculators are not allowed during exams.

Attendance Regular attendance is expected. Please let me know by e-mail, phone, or in person if you must miss two or more class days in a row. Likewise if you must arrive late or leave early; this is disruptive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Make-up policy Make-ups for missed homework/exams will only be allowed if there is a university approved excuse in writing. Wherever possible, you should inform me prior to missing an exam. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the second working day after an absence. Otherwise, they forfeit their rights to a make-up.



An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. The Aggie Code of Honor is an effort to unify the aims of all Texas A&M men and women toward a high code of ethics and personal dignity. For most, living under this code will be no problem, as it asks nothing of a person that is beyond reason. It only calls for honesty and integrity, characteristics that Aggies have always exemplified. The Aggie Code of Honor functions as a symbol to all Aggies, promoting understanding and loyalty to truth and confidence in each other. Violations of the Aggie Honor Code and the handling of such violations are discussed at the web site http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

ADA Statement The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with diabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accomodations of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accomodation, please contact the Department of Student Life Services for Students with Disabilities in room 118 of Cain Hall or call 845-1637.

Copyright Statement Please note that all written and web materials for this course are protected by copyright laws. You may xerox (or download) one copy for your own use, but multiple copies or the sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.



Homework Assignment 1: due Friday, September 9
1.1: 1a,d,f,h,i; 2a,b,d,i; 4a,c; 5a,b; 7a,b,c; D5; D6
1.2: 4a,d; 5a,d; 7a,b,c; 9a,b; 14; D1; D3
1.3: TBA