Math 448 (Expectations)

As with all upper-level mathematics courses, your responsibilities in this course include the following:

• You must know the definitions precisely. Typically, a quick restatement in your own words, while fine at an intuitive level, will lack the precision necessary for a correct use of the concept. You are responsible for all definitions from class, and you may be asked to reproduce these on exams. For example, an exam question might begin: "Give the precise definition of ..."
• You need to understand the theorems and proofs from class; it is not sufficient simply to know how to apply them. The examples we give in class are designed to help you be able to produce similar proofs on your own, so a clear understanding of each proof is crucial. You may be asked to reproduce specific proofs from class, as well as perform similar proofs of facts that you have not seen before.
• You must be very careful of the details. Simply getting "the right idea" is not enough in a mathematical proof. The real proof lies in the details, and your treatment of them will determine whether you get the proof right or not. The computations in this course can be particularly challenging, so pay close attenditon to them.

You should come to each class prepared and ready to participate. Whether you enjoy the class or not depends much more on what you bring to it than on what I do. For example, you should think about the material in between classes, even if there is no specific assignment due. If you did not fully understand the details in class (and no one does), you have an obligation to look over that material again on your own before the next class. Certainly in the few minutes when you are waiting for us to begin, you should look back to see where we left off; that way you don't waste the first ten minutes of the lecture trying to remember what we are talking about. The course will be much more rewarding, and you will get much more out of it, that way. Remember that you control whether you enjoy it or not.

Math 448 (Winter 2007) web pages Created: 01 Jan 2007 Last modified: Jan 2, 2007 2:25:31 PM Comments to: dpvc@union.edu

Course Policies Home Page Course Text Philosophy