Syllabus: 22M:151:001 Discrete Mathematical Models

Spring 2009 11:30A - 12:20P MWF 221 MLH

Instructor:  Dr. Isabel Darcy                Office:B1H MLH                    Phone: 335- 0778
Email: idarcy AT math.uiowa.edu     (please include 151 in the subject of your e-mail)
Office Hours: Mondays 1:30 - 3:00pm, Wednesday 10:40 - 11:15am, Thursdays 10:40 - 11:30, 12:30 - 1:45, and by appt.
Course WWW site:  http://www.math.uiowa.edu/~idarcy/COURSES/151/SPRING09/151.html
Check this for a list of assignments so far, possible changes in the course schedule, and electronic copies of course handouts.

Description of Course: This course provides an introduction to discrete mathematics. A case history approach is taken to discrete models from various fields (e.g., genetics, psychology, health care, scheduling). Construction, interpretation, analysis, simulation, testing of models, and development of discrete mathematics are covered.

Objectives and Goals of the Course: We will cover parts of Ch 2, 3, 11 - 13, and supplementary material.

Text: Applied Combinatorics, 2 edition by Fred Roberts.
Publisher: Prentice Hall; ISBN-10: 0130796034, ISBN-13: 978-0130796035.

Grading system:
HW & Quizzes: 14% 90% <= A- < 91% <= A 
Project: 12% 80% <= B- < 81% <= B < 89% <= B+ < 90%
Exam 1 (Feb. 23):  22%  70% <= C- < 71% <= C < 79% <= C+ < 80%
Exam 2 (April 3):  22%  60% <= D- < 61% <= D < 69% <= D+ < 70%
Final (7:30 A.M. Thursday, May 14 2009): 30%  F < 60%

GRADING & EXAMS:  THE ABOVE EXAM DATES ARE TENTATIVE. All work must be shown in order to receive credit.  This holds for all exams including the final, all quizzes (if any are given), and homework.  Important note:  If no work is shown, you may receive zero credit even if your answer is correct.

2 exams and a final will be given.  Locations TBA.  You are required to bring identification to all exams.   Calculators may NOT be allowed.  You are required to pick up your exams and keep them until the end of the semester.  The final exam will be cumulative.  The final is tentatively set for 7:30 A.M. Thursday, May 14 2009. This could change, however, when the firm Final Exam Schedule comes out later in the semester.

If the project is of exceptional quality (as determined by me), a student may choose a different grading system than that given above where the project is weighted more heavily. More information about the project can be found at http://www.math.uiowa.edu/~idarcy/COURSES/151/SPRING09/M151_project.html

THERE IS NO CURVE IN THIS CLASS, but improvement may be taken into consideration.

If there is a mistake in grading, you must report this mistake within one week from when the exam, homework, etc. has been handed back to the class (whether or not you picked up your exam, homework, etc).

Attendance and absences: Your attendance at each scheduled class meeting and problem section is expected.  You are  responsible for material covered in class and announcements made during class; these may include changes in the syllabus.

You may collaborate with other students on the homework;   however, each individual student is responsible for turning in your own homework in your own words.  Copying is not collaboration and will be prosecuted under scholastic dishonesty.  Any significant collaboration should be acknowledged.

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from The University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of The University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
 
The University policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Policies and Procedures

The CLAS policy statements have been summarized from the web pages of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Administrative Home: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to 120 Schaeffer Hall or see the Academic Handbook. http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/index.shtml.

Academic Fraud: Plagiarism and any other activities when students present work that is not their own are academic fraud. Academic fraud is reported to the departmental DEO and to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Services who enforces the appropriate consequences. http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml.

Making a Suggestion or a Complaint: Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit the instructor, then the course supervisor and the departmental DEO (Yi Li, 14MLH, (319) 335-0714). Complaints must be made within six months of the incident. http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml#5.

Accommodations for Disabilities: A student seeking academic accommodations should register with Student Disability Services and meet privately with the course instructor to make particular arrangements. For more information, visit this site: http://www.uiowa.edu/~sds/.

Understanding Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. For definitions, assistance, and the full University policy visit: http://www.sexualharassment.uiowa.edu.

Reacting Safely to Severe Weather: In severe weather, the class members should seek shelter in the innermost part of the building, if possible at the lowest level, staying clear of windows and free-standing ex- panses. The class will continue if possible when the event is over. (Operations Manual 16.14.i.)

Resources:

Student Classroom Behavior: The ability to learn is lessened when students engage in inappropriate classroom behav- ior, distracting others; such behaviors are a violation of the Code of Student Life. When disruptive activity occurs, a University instructor has the authority to determine class- room seating patterns and to request that a student exit immediately for the remainder of the period. One-day suspensions are reported to appropriate departmental, collegiate, and Student Services personnel (Office of the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students).

University Examination Policies: Missed exam policy. University policy requires that students be permitted to make up examinations missed because of illness, mandatory religious obligations, certain University activities, or unavoidable circumstances. Excused absence forms are available at the Registrar web site: http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/forms/absence.pdf

Final Examinations: An undergraduate student who has two final examinations scheduled for the same period or more than three examinations scheduled for the same day may file a request for a change of schedule before the published deadline at the Registrar's Service Center, 17 Calvin Hall, 8-4:30 M-F, (384-4300).