Inga Johnson
Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematics
Willamette University
302 Collins Bldg.
ijohnson(at)willamette(dot)edu
503.370.6551
Exam 2: Wednesday, Nov 14.
Here are some example midterms from previous semesters. Note: We have covered sequences and limits of sequences this semester. This topic was not covered on these exams, but it will be on your exam. Example 1 and example 2 from spring 2005.
Exam 1: Wednesday, Oct 3.
Here is an example exam from spring 2006, and another from spring 2005.
Math 251 - Foundations of Advanced Mathematics - Syllabus
Class Meetings: MF 1:50-2:40, W 1:50-3:30, Collins 306
Course Goals: To learn to read, write, and create mathematical proofs. To be able to articulate a valid strategy orally and in writing. To understand fundamental concepts in mathematics such as sets, functions, sequences, series and other selected topics.
Textbooks: Proofs and Fundamentals; A First Course in Abstract Mathematics, Ethan Bloch. There are a few known typos in this text; corrections can be found here.
Homework: The homework for this course will be due in class on Friday. The weekly homework assignments will be posted on the course schedule. Your homework must be written up using LaTeX. An introduction to LaTeX and information about how to download it can be found here. Throughout the semester you may be asked to rewrite your homework solutions if they are incorrect. These rewrites will be due one week after the homework is handed back to you. The basis for the revisions will be noted on your returned graded homework.
Late Homework policy: You may turn in ONE homework assignment late (within one week of when it was due) with no penalty. All late homework assignments should be clearly labeled with the phrase "Late Math 251 HW" at the top of the first page. Any late assignment turned in without this phrase might be lost, or confused with garbage and accidentally thrown out. Any additional late homework assignment that is turned in will be accepted and corrected at my discretion.
Reading the Book and Class Participation: You will be given reading assignments from the textbook to read before the next class period. To guide your reading and assist in your preparation for class discussion, I will often handout a list of reading and discussion questions. We will often begin class by discussing the questions handed out during the previous class. Assuming the discussions go well and all students participate we will not have need for many quizzes.
Quizzes: Quizzes are 15 to 20 minutes long, with problems that resemble homework and in-class examples, and include questions asking for precise statements of definitions and theorems. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. Quizzes might be given without warning if class discussions do not go well. Hopefully there will be very few quizzes during the semester (see above info re: reading the book and class participation).
Math Colloquium: You are encouraged to go to many of the Math Department Colloquia this semester, and as part of the course you are required to go to two. Attendance will be taken in Colloquium and you should turn in your notes from each talk you attend. If your schedule conflicts with all the Colloquia scheduled, please see Professor Johnson for an alternate reading and writing assignment.
Papers: One or two papers of varying sizes will be assigned throughout the course. Drafts may sometimes be collected, and students will be allowed to rewrite papers (at least once) for credit. Keep in mind that mathematical writing can be very dense; a few words and symbols can carry a great deal of information. Sometimes the careful crafting of one mathematical paragraph will take longer than writing several pages of non-mathematical prose. The requirements for logic and the standards of accuracy and precision will likely be higher than in other courses.
Midterm Exams, and Final Exam:
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. These exams will be taken
Presentations: Each week, selected students will be asked to present selected homework solutions. Each student will present approximately 2-4 problems over the course of the semester.
In-Class Writing labs: During some Wednesdays (approximately every other one) the second half of class will consist of a writing lab. These labs are designed for students to bring in first drafts of their homework assignments for feedback from their peers and Professor Johnson. Students should come to the lab prepared with scratch work, questions, and first drafts.
Special Note: If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me within the first two weeks of the semester. Please request that a Disability Services staff send me the appropriate forms verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need. If your disability allows for extra time on an exam you must remind me of your needs at least one week before the exam and send me an email reminder at least three days before the exam to ensure appropriate accommodations have been made.
Academic Honesty: In accordance with Willamette University CLA catalog: ``Plagiarism and cheating are offenses against the integrity of the courses in which they occur and against the College community as a whole... Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism shall not be considered a valid defense." For further information about the Willamette University academic honesty policy please refer to the CLA catalog.
On homework: It is appropriate and very helpful to have study groups for homework, and indeed the Wednesday writing labs are a form of study group. Sharing ideas and approaches is a good way to learn. However, all students must find their own phrasing and wording for the written homework. This is a writing class, and students need to practice actually writing the solutions to problems in their own words and symbols. Again, plagiarism is not expected and will not be tolerated. Copied homework will earn a grade of zero for all parties involved.