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\section*{MACS 358, Algebraic Structures and Discrete Maths}
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This course is an introductory course in discrete mathematics and
algebraic structures.

\begin{description}
\item[Teacher:] Nicolas M. Thiéry
\item[Office:] Stratton Hall 222, extension: 3462
\item[Email:] \href{mailto:nthiery@mines.edu}{nthiery@mines.edu}
\item[Web Page:] \url{http://www.mines.edu/~nthiery/}
\item[Where and when:] Tuesday-Thursday 9:30am-10:45am, Green Center 210 S
\item[Course web page:] \url{http://www.mines.edu/Academic/courses/math_cs/macs358/}
\item[Reserve:] In the library
\item[Textbook:] Mathematical Structures for Computer Science, Judith
  L. Gersting, 4th edition\cite{Gersting.MSCS}
\end{description}

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\section*{Tentative syllabus for Spring 2000}

\begin{enumerate}
\item 08/24: Introduction
\item 08/29-08/31: I. Formal Logic: 1.1, 1.2 (propositional logic)
\item 09/05-09/07:    1.3, 1.4 (predicate logic)
\item 09/12-09/14: II. Proofs: 2.1 (proof techniques)  
\item 09/19-09/21:   2.2 (induction); 2.4 (recursion) 
\item 09/26-09/28:   2.3, 2.5 (Proofs and analysis of Algorithms)
\item 10/03-10/05: Test1; III. Sets and Combinatorics
\item 10/10-10/12:
\item 10/17-10/19: 
\item 10/24-10/26: IV.  Relations, Functions and Matrices 
\item 10/31-11/02:
\item 11/07-11/09: Test 2; VIII. Modeling Arithmetic, Computations and Languages
\item 11/14-11/16: 
\item 11/21-11/23: 
\item 11/28-11/30: V. Graphs and Trees / VI. Graph algorithms
\item 12/05:
\item 12/07: Optional review session
\item 12/14: Final Exam ?
\end{enumerate}

\section*{Course objectives}

Learn mathematical techniques and tools for solving problems arising
in computer science. More precisely, learn counting techniques and
basic algebraic and discrete structures; learn how to write proofs and
abstraction (how to identify the very structure of a problem and use
it for implementing a solution).

\section*{Prerequisites}

Calculus III (MACS 213 or MACS 223). If possible being familiar with a
computer language (C++, Pascal, Java, Mathematica, Maple, MuPAD,
Matlab, Scilab or whatever).

\section*{Web page}

Most information about this course is available from it's
\href{http://www.mines.edu/Academic/courses/math_cs/macs358/}{web
  page}. This includes the syllabus, homework assignments, computer
projects, class notes, dates of the exams, review sheets, etc.

\section*{Office hours}

If you have any question, if you need help or extra explanations, if
you have some problem or comment about the class, feel free to come to
my office anytime. However, if you want to be sure I am there, either
come during my office hours (see my
\href{http://www.mines.edu/~nthiery/}{web page}), or ask for an
appointment by email.

\section*{Grading policy}

\begin{itemize}
\item Exams: 70\%\\
  Test~1: 20\%, Test~2: 20\%, Final: 30\%
\item Homeworks \& quizzes: 30\%
\item Computer projects: extra credit
\end{itemize}

\section*{Homeworks and Quizzes}

There is one homework assignment each and every week. It consists of a
list of exercises, most of the time taken from the text book. The list
is posted on the web page on monday, and the assignment is due for the
following monday. The exercises are about the material seen in class
during the previous and current weeks. Some of the exercises may be
difficult, and require work over several days, so start doing them
early!  If you wish (and I strongly suggest it), you can work in
group, as long as you write down the final solution on your own. I
also suggest that you ask for clues during the week for the exercises
that you find difficult. The best is to ask at the beginning of the
class, but you can also ask by email or whatever. I expect everybody
to be able to do all of the exercises (possibly after some help).

The correction of the homework will be available on Tuesday in the
reserve in the library. If one of the exercises seems particularily
difficult, you can ask for a correction in class.

Every two week, the homework will be collected on Tuesday and graded.
Every other week, there will be a 10 minute quizz on Thursday, which
will consists of one randomly choosen exercise of the homework. The
quizz may also ask extra questions about the material of the previous
week.

In addition, there will often be a small homework given at the end of
a class to be done for the following class. Even if it's non graded,
it is mandatory, and will help a lot understanding the material in the
following class.

\section*{Computer Projects}

From time to time, there will be a computer project which will be
graded for extra credit.

\section*{Hints and suggestions}

\begin{itemize}
\item Don't work a lot, work hard!
\item Be efficient, don't waste your time in class!
\item Be active! If you get bored during the class because you already
  know the material, start doing the homeworks
\item If you have a problem, don't stay stuck on it. Ask for help!
\end{itemize}

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\nocite{Knuth.ACP1}
\nocite{Polya.HSI}
\nocite{Hofstadter.GEB}

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