Introduction to Advanced Mathematics
MGF 3301 Summer 2013
200 LOV
TR 9:15 -- 10:45 am

instructor
Prof. Alec N. Kercheval
contact me
113 Love Building; 644-8701 (office); 644-2202 (front desk)
webpage: http://www.math.fsu.edu/~kercheva/
office hours M 4-5pm, TR 10:45 - 11:25 am, or by appointment
eligibility
Prerequisite: MAC 2312 Calculus II or permission. Strongly recommended is MAC 2313 Calculus III and experience with additional math courses, such as MAS 3105 Linear Algebra and MAP 2302 ODEs.
texts
Irving Kaplansky, Set Theory and Metric Spaces, AMS Chelsea Publishing, 1977,
plus occasional handouts posted on the Blackboard course site.
objectives
This course is designed to assist in the challenging transition from the computation-oriented mathematics of the lower division courses to the proof-based framework of advanced mathematics. We will begin with the study of propositional logic via truth tables, and proceed to the set theory that most working mathematicians need to know in their daily work. Topics will include functions and relations, infinite cardinal and ordinal numbers, uncountability, transfinite arithmetic, the Axiom of Choice and Zorn's Lemma, as time permits. Emphasis in this course will be on learning to write clear proofs. Students should be prepared to spend concentrated time working on hard problems throughout the semester, and presenting solutions in class.
homework
Homework will be assigned weekly to be handed in, and discussed in class.
First Assignment, due Tuesday, May 21, 2013: read through page 17 of the logic handout posted on Blackboard (Course Library section), and do the four Exercises in section 1, and page 17 #1 and 2.
exams
There will be two one-hour midterm exams on dates to be announced, and a comprehensive final exam on the last day of class, Thursday August 1, 9:15 - 10:45 am.
grading
Your course grade will be a weighted average of homework and class participation (20%), midterm grades (25% each), and final exam grade (30%). Faithful attendance is expected. Borderline grades will be resolved positively by good class participation and negatively by inconsistent attendance.
makeups
No written makeups are given. An unexcused missed exam receives a zero. Those with prior permission or sufficient documentation will substitute an oral exam.


Academic Honor Policy: The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University's expectations for the integrity of students' academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to ''. . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University.'' (Florida State University Academic Honor Policy, found at http://dof.fsu.edu/honorpolicy.htm.)

In this class, you are permitted to work together with classmates on homework problems, but you must turn in only work written by yourself. All exams and any other assignments must reflect only your own work unassisted by others.


University Attendance Policy: Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities. These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness.

Americans With Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and (2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of class. This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.

For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact: SDRC, 874 Traditions Way, 108 Student Services Building, FSU, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167, (850) 644-9566 (voice), (850) 644-8504 (TDD), sdrc@admin.fsu.edu, http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu

Free Tutoring from FSU: For tutoring and writing help in any course at Florida State University, visit the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutoring Services' comprehensive list of tutoring options - see http://ace.fsu.edu/tutoring or contact tutor@fsu.edu for more information. High-quality tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. These services are offered by tutors trained to encourage the highest level of individual academic success while upholding personal academic integrity.

Syllabus Change Policy: ''Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.''