MATH 220: APPLIED COMBINATORICS

FALL TERM 2016, LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

Professor: Scott CorryOffice: 408 Briggs Hall, x7287Office Hours: MTRF 9-10, W 3-4, and by appointmentE-mail: scott.corry@lawrence.eduWebpage: faculty.lawrence.edu/corrysText: K.P. Bogart, Combinatorics Through Guided Discovery (free PDF)

1. Overview

This course is an introduction to combinatorial mathematics using a guided discoveryapproach. Most of our class time will be devoted to small group problem solving and dis-cussion, with ample opportunity to ask questions of me and of each other. I will sometimeslecture in order to emphasize overarching connections, provide special insights, or presentinteresting topics. But you will discover most of the course material yourself through acombination of individual and collaborative work, using Bogart’s text as a guide.

2. Practicalities

2.1. Homework, Exams, Journals, and Engagement.

• Homework assignments due at the beginning of class on Mondays. Problems willbe graded according to the following five point scale:

5 = perfect—correct and well-written4 = one minor error3 = one major error or several minor errors2 = several major errors1 = indicative of relevant thought

Take the time to make your solution set neat and legible, and strive to effectivelyconvey your ideas. Homework will count for 50% of your final grade, and no latehomework will be accepted.

• In-class midterm: 10% of course grade (October 12)• Final exam: 20% of course grade (November 22, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.). Do not make

travel plans that conflict with our final exam date.• Spot-checking of exercise journal: 10% of course grade.• Engagement (measured by attendance and participation in group work): 10% of

course grade.

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2 FALL TERM 2016, LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

2.2. Office Hours and Other Details. Please feel free to come by my office, whetheryou are having difficulty or just want to chat about mathematics. Of course, I may notbe in, or I may be otherwise engaged and unable to talk. To ensure that you have myundivided attention, you should come during my office hours, which are listed above. Ofcourse, if these times are impossible for you, you can always make an appointment withme.

In addition to talking with me, I encourage you to speak with each other about thecourse, and even to work together on the problems if that suits your style of learning. Thatbeing said, I expect you to spend some time thinking privately about the problems beforecollaborating, and each of your writeups should be the result of your own cogitation andexposition. If you like to work together, a good model would be to make a first pass throughthe problems on your own, then get together with classmates to talk about difficulties andshare ideas, and finally find a solitary place to write a polished (and unique) solution set.Of course, all of your work for this course is governed by the Lawrence University HonorCode.

2.3. Statement on Disability. Lawrence University is committed to providing reason-able accommodations for students with disabilities. Students establish eligibility and re-quest accommodations through the Center for Academic Success. View the AccessibilityServices web page at go.lawrence.edu/cas for more information.