ECS20: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, Spring 2019

Lecture:
Tues/Thurs 4:40pm - 6:00pm, 198 Young Hall

Discussion:
Sec. A01, Mon, 3:10 - 4pm, 204 Art (CRN 70166). TA: Kevin Jesse, krjesse@ucdavis.edu
Sec. A02, Weds, 1:10 - 2pm, 212 Wellman (CRN 70167). TA: Mridula Gupta, mrigupta@ucdavis.edu
Sec. A03, Weds, 10:00 - 10:50am, 1130 Hart (CRN 70168). TA: Kevin Jesse, krjesse@ucdavis.edu
Sec. A04, Fri, 10:00 - 10:50am, 166 Chem (CRN 70169). TA: Bhargav Sundararajan, bsundararajan@ucdavis.edu

Important dates
  • Thurs May 9, MIDTERM exam in class, 4:40-6pm
  • Friday June 7, FINAL exam, 1-3pm

    • Professor:
    Raissa D'Souza, 3057 Kemper Hall,
    profdsouza@gmail.com (This and canvas are the only address monitored)
    Office Hours:
  • 6-6:30pm Tues in Young Hall lobby
  • 3:30-4:30pm Weds, 3057 Kemper (Subject to change)
  • Piazza chat room -- I check many times a day

    • Teaching Assistants:

  • Yeh-Cheng Chen, ycch@ucdavis.edu
    Office hours: Weds 10:00am-12:00pm, 2341 Academic Surge

  • Kevin Jesse, krjesse@ucdavis.edu
    Office hours: Weds 12-2pm, 2341 Academic surge

  • Mridula Gupta, mrigupta@ucdavis.edu
    Office hours: Thurs 2-4pm, 53 Kemper (basement of Kemper Hall)

  • Bhargav Sundararajan, bsundararajan@ucdavis.edu
    Office hours: Friday 12-2pm 55 Kemper (basement of Kemper Hall)

    • Recommended Textbook :
    Kenneth H. Rosen, Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, any edition.

    Prerequisite
    C- or better in Math 16A, 17A or 21A (Calculus)

    Course outline
    • The foundations: logics and proofs
    • Basic structures: sets, functions and sequences
    • The fundamentals: algorithms and the integers
    • Induction and recursion
    • Counting techniques
    • Introduction to graphs and trees

    Course objectives:
    The purpose of the course is to introduce fundamental techniques in discrete mathematics for application in computer science. One of the central objectives is to teach methods of proof that transform intuition into proof, and to stress the distinction between proof and opinion. Hence the course will be mathematical in two senses: first, it will contain specific techniques in discrete mathematics, and second, through examples and exercises, it will raise the students general mathematical sophistication, i.e., ability to deal with and create complex and convincing arguments.

    Grading breakdown:

    • Homeworks: 30%

    • Midterm exam: 30%

    • Final exam: 35%

    • Discussion section exercises: 5%. (Turn in 5 of 7 assignments; these are graded only for effort not correctness.)

    • Extra credit: Occasional in-class exercises (These are graded only for effort not correctness.)

    • Extra credit: Answering question on Piazza with high-quality responses.

    Regrading of homeworks and midterm exams is only considered within one week (7 days) from the return day. The request must be submitted in writing to Professor D'Souza.

    Homeworks and Exams:
    • This is a math class; the material can only be learned by doing lots of problems, so the homework is very important.
    • There will be 6 homework assignments.
    • Your homework should be your own work. You are permitted to work in groups on homework. It is a matter of intellectual honesty to (a) write your homework strictly by yourself, and (b) acknowledge in it any ideas you got from others (including books and papers in the literature).
    • Homeworks are to be turned in via Gradescope
    • No late homework will be accepted! Your lowest HW grade will be replaced by the average of your other assignments at the end of the quarter.
    • If you cannot complete an assignment by the due date, hand in whatever you have done in order to receive partial credit.
    • Selected problems on each assignment will be graded and credited.
    • All exams are closed-book, with one sheet of notes allowed.
    • Make up exams only in extreme circumstances with proper documentation, in which case exam will likely be an oral exam conducted by Professor.
      (In other words, Don't miss the midterm, Thurs May 9, 4:40-6pm! Don't miss the Final exam, Friday June 7, 1-3pm! )

    Class webpages:

    Seeking Help on HWs:
      Please see us in person or use the chat room in Piazza. We will not normally respond to homework questions via email.