Foundations: Main

Lisa Michaud - lmichaud@wheatoncollege.edu
Office: Science Center, 106A
AIM: ___________________________

Lecture (118)	Monday / Wednesday / Friday	11:30-12:20am
Office Hours (106A)	Monday	3:00-4:00pm
	Tuesday	10:30-11:30am 2:00-3:00pm
	Thursday	2:00-3:00pm
	Other	By Appointment

Discrete mathematics represents the language, symbolic notation, and problem solving principles that lead to a rich appreciation of computing. This course is an initial semester of exposure to the tools for precise vocabulary, powerful notation, useful abstractions, and rigorous thinking that are needed as someone works in computing. A working premise of the course is that it is not possible to make excellent and effective use of computers without involving oneself in mathematical considerations. In fact, many areas of computing require an ability to work with discrete mathematical structures.

Most of the material covered in this course serves as an initial exposure to and practice with the discrete mathematical topics that appear in later Computer Science courses. In addition to satisfying the Quantitative Analysis (QA) foundation, this course can count as the mathematics course required for a Computer Science minor or as one of the three mathematics courses that are required for a Computer Science major.

Course announcements, deadline changes, and other important information will be sent frequently through email. The Blackboard distribution list for this course is what is typically used, so make certain that the Blackboard system has the email at which you prefer to read email. You are expected to check your email on a regular basis in order to receive this information in a timely fashion.

The required textbook for this course is Discrete Mathematics (5th Ed.) by Dossey, Otto, Spence, and Vanden Eynden. Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0321305159.

Although a paper copy of this syllabus is given out at the beginning of the semester, the online one is kept up-to-date with changing announcements, new/different assignments, and posted course material. It can be found at: