APPM 3170 - Fall 2011: Discrete Applied Mathematics

APPM 3170 - DISCRETE APPLIED MATHEMATICS
Department of Applied Mathematics

University of Colorado - Boulder

Fall 2011

Lecturer: Manuel Lladser
E-mail*: just like your CU e-mail but with my last name before the @
Office: ECOT 232
Lecture: MWF 10-10:50am @ ECCR 110
Office hours: M 4:30-5:30pm; TW 11:30am-12:30pm

*:Please use as Subject the sentence APPM 3170/Fall 2011:, followed by 0-3 keywords describing the main content of the e-mail.
E-mails that do not follow the previous guideline may not be acknowledged!

Course Blog:

Refresh this page everytime you visit it (!)

Course Schedule

DEC/14: The course is closed and final grades have been submitted.
DEC/10: The answerkey for exam #3 is posted on the course schedule.
DEC/09: The final exam room is posted on the course schedule.
NOV/30: The answerkeys for quiz #7 and #8 are postes on the course schedule.
NOV/07: Additional practice problems for Exam #3 are posted in the course schedule.
NOV/01: The answerkey for Exam #2 is posted on the course schedule.
OCT/28: The answerkey for quiz #6 is posted on the course schedule.
OCT/27: Additional practice problems for Exam #2 are posted in the course schedule.
OCT/24: The answerkey for quiz #5 is posted on the course schedule.
OCT/10: The answerkey for quiz #4 is posted on the course schedule.
SEP/30: The answerkey for Exam #1 is posted on the course schedule.
SEP/23: The answerkey for quiz #3 is posted in the course schedule.
SEP/12: Additional practice problems for Exam #1 are posted in the course schedule.
SEP/09: The answerkey for quiz #2 is posted in the course schedule.
AUG/31: The answerkey for quiz #1 is posted in the course schedule.
AUG/24: Office hours have been fixed based on the results of the poll (see above).
For the remaining of this week only, office hours via appointment.
AUG/22: Welcome to class! & don't forget to fill out the office hours poll I e-mailed to you.
Please check this webpage often for updates.

Course Information:

Description: The main purpose of this course is to expose you to a wide variety of topics in discrete mathematics and probability. These topics will be developed in parallel as needed and it will include the following core in alphabetical order: algorithms and their complexity, counting methods and generating function techniques, discrete random variables and structures, graphs including trees and shortest path problems, mathematical induction, recursions and relations.
Prerequisite: Calculus 3 for Engineers (APPM 2350).
Textbook: Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, 6-th Edition, by K. H. Rosen.

Blue books: Each student is responsible to bring an unused blue book at the beginning of each exam. Please do not write anything (including any personal information) in the bluebooks you bring because they will be randomly assigned right before each exam.

Homework/Quizzes/Exams: For dates/times and contents of examinations please see the Course Schedule. There will be eight (8) homework sets and 10-minutes in-lecture quizzes. Homework must be turned in together with quizzes. Late homework will not be accepted unless due to justified illness (see below). Quizzes will be delivered at the beginning of lecture. Each homework set and associated quiz will be worth 20 points together. Quiz problems will be similar to graded homework problems. The philosphy behind this is two folded: on one side, the goal is to reward a systematic practice of the course material and, on the other hand, you should be able to reproduce the solution of a problem similar to a homework one that you addressed thoughtfully on your own.
Lecture interruptions: Laptops, cellphones and any communication devices should be turned off and put away during lecture.

Illness: If you become sick right before an examination or, during an extensive period prior to an examination, please bring a note from your doctor verifying your illness. Your doctor's note should clearly specify the start and ending date where you were unable to comply with your school obligations. For additional information see Special Accomodation in Addendum.
Final grade policy: Approximate grade lines will be based on the following 10%-curve-letter grade system:
   A if (overall percentage) >=90%,
   B if (overall percentage) >=80%,
   C if (overall percentage) >=70%,
   D if (overall percentage) >=60%,
   F if (overall percentage) <=50%.
Any adjustments (including + and - grades) to the above scale will be in the students' favor.

Addendum to Syllabus:

Special Accomodations: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated accommodations. Contact: 303-492-8671, Center for Community N200, and http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices. If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html. For additional information see http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.

Religious Observance: If you have a religious observance that may conflict with some of the course examinations, please let me know by writing or e-mail as soon as possible. An early notice of at least two weeks in advance is preferred to make the appropriate arrangements. Be aware that no accomodations will be addressed without having made them explicit in advance. Additional information can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html, and a comprehensive list of religious holidays most commonly observed by CU-Boulder students is at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/.

Classroom Behavior: Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun instead of the provided in the class roster. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.
For additional information see policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.

Discrimination and Harrasment: The University of Colorado at Boulder Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures, the University of Colorado Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures, and the University of Colorado Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships policy apply to all students, staff, and faculty. Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh.

Academic Honesty: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/.