TITLE: Elementary Mathematical Logic
CLASS TIME: MWF 1:30-2:20 p.m.; Room 445 MSC
TEXT: Language Proof and Logic by J. Barwise & J. Etchemendy (Text/Software Package)2000.
PROFESSOR: Dr. Warren Wm. McGovern
OFFICE & PHONE: 420 MSC & (419) 372-7471
E-mail: warrenb(at)bgnet.bgsu.edu & http://personal.bgsu.edu/~warrenb/
OFFICE HOURS: TBD
PREREQUISITES: Prior credit in MATH 1310 or in MATH 1350 is required for enrollment.
CONTENT: This course is an introduction to propositional and predicate logic. We shall cover the nature of a mathematical proof and applications to mathematics and computer science. The software package is required, necessary and shall be used for evaluative purposes. The goals of the course are (1) to learn to use and understand the language of first order logic, (2) to learn how to discover and present proofs in the language of first order logic, and (3) to see how logic interacts with mathematics and computer science.
CLASS STRUCTURE: The class will be run in a lecture style format though the instructor encourages discussions and questions concerning the material. Homework will be assigned every class meeting. A detailed list shall be kept on my webpage. The student is expected to do all the problems as this will aid in the student's understanding of the material.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular attendance is expected though will not be checked. But if the professor observes a pattern of missed classes the student's grade may be affected negatively. If a student misses a class meeting it is his/her responsibility to obtain the class notes either through another student or through the instructor during regularly scheduled office hours. All exams will be taken as scheduled, unless prior arrangements are made with at least 48 hours of advance notice. I and only I have the right to agree to giving a makeup exam.
EVALUATION: First and foremost the student is required to due at least 70% of the assigned
homework. There
will be over 225 homework exercises assigned throughout the course. At certain intervals during the course there will
be a due date with a given set of exercises due. A problem is given complete credit if it is correct (given by a blue
checkmark) and it is submitted to the istructor by the due date. A problem is given 1/2 credit if it is correct (given
by a blue checkmark) and it is submitted one day late. All other problems receive no credit. The student is formally warned that the grade grinder often takes a longer than usual time to grade on the due dates.
If at the time of assigning final grades it is found that a student did not do 70% of the HW the student will be assigned a
final grade of F (or WF if necessary).
Next, a student's grade in this course shall be determined by using a point
system. Simply, this means that a student will earn or lose points throughout the semester
and the total number of points a student has earned or lost will then be divided by the
total number of points available to give a percentage score.
That score will then be translated to a letter grade. I use a 90-100, 80-89, 70-79, 60-69 translation.
There will be several ways a student can earn points throughout the semester. These include but are not
limited to the following: homework assignments, projects, pop-quizzes, extra-credit problems, two tests, and a final exam.
There are also several ways that a student can lose points, and once again are not limited to the following: not
turning in homework assignments or projects, being absent on days of pop quizzes, a poor attendance record, missed tests or exams,
and disrupting class (e.g., whining in class).
The general principle with regards to grading is as follows. At the end of the semester (once the final exam is over)
I will look at the scores of the final exam, the two tests, and the homework (see above in red).
If a student earned a "strong" A on these then the student will
be awarded an A in the course. If the student earned a "weak" A or a "very strong" B, then I will look at the
student's scores on homework assignments and projects. Hopefully, you get the idea.
GRADING: The test/exam dates are as follows:
| Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|
| September 25 | Friday | Test 1: 1:30-1:20 pm |
| October 30 | Friday | Test 2: 1:30-1:20pm |
| December 15 | Tuesday | Final Exam: 1:15pm-3:15pm |
DISCLAIMER: The instructor reserves the right to change/alter/add/delete any statement from this syllabus in hopes of creating a more enjoyable/equitable course.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 12-13 | Fall Break |
| November 11 | Veteran's Day |
| November 25-27 | Thanksgiving Recess |
| December 11 | Classes End |
| December 14-18 | Final Exam Week |