Course Description
Introductory topics in mathematics, including set theory and reasoning in mathematical systems. Contemporary applications may include algorithms, consumer mathematics, cryptography, and geometry. Note: Students may not receive credit for both MAT 112 and RCO 112.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
Quantitative Reasoning Competency SLOs
- Interrelate real-world information with mathematical forms (e.g., with functions, equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words, geometric figures).
- Formulate and justify conclusions based on quantitative arguments.
- Communicate the quantitative evidence of the argument.
Course Objectives
- Integers and Algorithms: The integers, algorithms, division with remainder, divisors, the operation mod, greatest common divisors, Euclidean algorithm.
- Sets and Functions: Representations of sets, relationships between sets, construction of new sets, functions, codes, substitution ciphers.
- Numbers and Counting: Cardinality of sets, prime numbers, factorization, infinitude of primes, conjectures about prime number, numbers in bases other than 10, applications of numbers in other bases.
- Groups and Cryptography: Binary operations, commutative groups, examples of groups, groups generated by one element, fast exponentiation and discrete logarithms, public key cryptography, Diffie-Hellman key exchange, ElGamal crypto system.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Formative Assessment | 50% |
| Online Quizzes | 20% |
| Exams (tests and final exam) | 30% |
The formative assessment consists of online homework assignments, exam review assignments, and in-class work, where the latter may count for up to 10% of course grade. Out of the seven exams (4 tests and the 3 parts of the final exam) only the best six count towards your grade. For any online assignments submitted past the due date and before the end of the semester you receive 75% of the points.
If you submit Test 1, 2, or 3 late you still receive a score of up to 75%. Your Test or Part of the final exam with the lowest score is dropped in the computation of your course grade.
The letter grade will be computed according to the following table, where x is the total number of points out of 100 obtained by the student at the end of the semester:
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 88 ≤ x | A |
| 76 ≤ x < 88 | B |
| 64 ≤ x < 76 | C |
| 52 ≤ x < 64 | D |
| x < 52 | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance/participation is not a graded component included in the student's final grade for this course.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.