This is the website for the course MAT108 at the Department of Mathematics at UC Davis.
The course will have the textbook The Art of Proof by M. Beck and R. Geoghegan.
The goal of the course is to develop mathematical thinking and the ability to produce clear well-organized mathematical arguments, as indicated by the Department Syllabus.
Lectures: MWF 2:10 - 3:00 PM Young Hall 184
Textbook: The Art of Proof by M. Beck and R. Geoghegan. The textbook should be accessible through the UC Davis Equitable Access Program. In addition, there is a version available in the authors' website.
Office Hours: 4-5 PM Monday Wednesday Academic Surge 2142.
TA: Evan Ortiz
TA's office hours: 4-5:30 Friday Academic Surge 2142.
Recitations: Section A01: Thursdays 03:10-04:00 PM WELLMN 205. Section A02: Thursdays 04:10-05:00 PM WICKSN 1038
Important Dates: First Day (September 25th), Midterm Test (October 18), Final (Friday, December 13 at 3:30 pm). Additionally, a portfolio draft (Friday November 8th), and the final portfolio (Wednesday December 4th).
Problem Sets: Weekly assignments are due on Friday at midnight, to be submitted through Gradescope.
Challenge problems: Due on Saturday at midnight, Peer review due on the following Tuesday at midnight. Both to be submitted through Canvas.
Here are some links on how to write mathematics well:
Writing Mathematics Well - Francis Su
Guidelines for good mathematical writing - Francis Su
Advice on mathematical writing - Keith Conrad
See the following rubric for a general scheme of how assignments will be graded.
The following textbook has examples of proofs with mistakes: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics, 8th Edition by Douglas Smith, Maurice Eggen, and Richard St. Andre.
See the following rubric for a general scheme of how assignments will be graded.
Due Friday October 4th at midnight on gradescope.
Attempt due Saturday October 5th at midnight on canvas. Peer Review due on Tuesday October 8th at midnight on canvas. To get full points must submit the attempt and do a peer review which must contain three points of feedback.
Due Friday October 11 at midnight on gradescope.
Attempt due Saturday October 19th at midnight on canvas. Peer Review due on Tuesday October 22nd midnight on canvas. To get full points must submit the attempt and do a peer review which must contain three points of feedback.
Due Saturday October 26 at midnight on gradescope.
Attempt due Sunday October 27th at midnight on canvas. Peer Review due on Tuesday October 29th at midnight on canvas. To get full points must submit the attempt and do a peer review which must contain three points of feedback.
Due Friday November 1st at midnight on gradescope.
Attempt due Saturday November 2nd at midnight on canvas. Peer Review due on Tuesday November 5th at midnight on canvas. To get full points must submit the attempt and do a peer review which must contain three points of feedback.
Due Sunday November 10th at midnight on gradescope.
Due Wednesday November 13th at midnight on gradescope.
Attempt due Monday November 11th at midnight on canvas. Peer Review due on Thursday November 16th at midnight on canvas. To get full points must submit the attempt and do a peer review which must contain three points of feedback.
Due Sunday November 17th at midnight on gradescope.
Attempt due Sunday November 17th at midnight on canvas. Peer Review due on Tuesday November 19th at midnight on canvas. To get full points must submit the attempt and do a peer review which must contain three points of feedback.
Due Monday November 25th at midnight on gradescope.
Due Friday Wednesday December 4th.
(with suggested readings and notes - note that my notes are sketches, can contain errors and will not exactly match lectures)
Read "Notes for students."
Read Chapter 1
Proved in class: Given n lines on the plane there exists a way to color the plane with two colors so that adjacent regions have different colors. Went over the faulty proof of all horses are the same color. Started the well ordering principle.
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Material mostly based on resources compiled by Allison Miller (List of resources on ethics in mathematics), and Cathy O'Neills book weapons of math destruction, as well as a talk by David Kung.
For two more resources that may be of interest but which we did not have time to cover
Governing an Algorithm in the Wild: David Robinson in conversation with Alex Rosenblat (a positive story of how to change a model)
See the following handout for instructions on the portfolio: Portfolio. Here is the rubric I will be using. To turn in the LaTex file save it as a pdf and turn it in through gradescope.
THERE ARE 7 TOTAL PROOFS FOR THE FINAL PORTFOLIO
Here is a sample .tex file for the portfolio that you can use : you need to copy paste it into a .tex file or into an overleaf tex file.
You can either download LaTex onto your computer or use overleaf (a cloud sharing Latex editor where you need to create an account).
Here are links to tutorials on using LaTex on overleaf:
If you enjoy proof writing/ mathematics and want to explore mathematics or the process of research here are some links. (If you know of any other programs or clubs that may be of interest to your fellow classmates please let me know)
Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences (REU): An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. Some REU sites or professors have additional funding available for international students. NSF funded REUs
UC Davis directed reading program: The DRP matches undergraduate (mentees) with math graduate students (mentors) to read on a math topic that is not typically covered in the classes offered by the Math department at Davis. This is a chance for undergraduates to dive deeper into math, have one on one discussions with experts, and explore a fun new topic with their mentors.
Undergraduate clubs at Davis that may be of interest: Math club, Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) Student Chapter, SACNAS student chapter