SYLLABUS

21-301 Combinatorics, Fall 2005
MWF 12:30-1:20, Margaret Morrison A14

Professor Alan Frieze                                                                       
Department of Mathematical Sciences                                                    
Carnegie Mellon University                                                                    
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
Offices: Wean Hall 7202
Fax:  412-268-6380
Email: alan@random.math.cmu.edu

Office hours : TuTh 11.00--12.00.

TA:
        
          I aim to cover
          Chapter 2.1-2.3,2,7-2.8.
          Chapter 3.1-3.4.
          Chapter 4.1,4..3
          Chapter 6
          Chapter 7.1-7.3
          Chapter 9
          Chapter 10
 
          Additional material: Combinatorial Games, Ramsey Theory.


Course Notes: I plan to produce fairly condensed slides and you can find some more notes at Spring2003 and DiscretMathNotes.

Schedule: What is covered in class each day.

Homework : Homework exercises will be assigned every Monday, and will be due Monday of the following week.


Grading Policy:
Homework: 10%
4 Tests          90%


You will receive a letter grade at midsemester, based on the first two tests and homework, and a letter grade at the end of the course, but individual tests are not assigned letter grades. The tests will be closed book. The letter grades are computed as follows, A: 85 - 100 B: 75 - 85 C: 60 - 75 D: 50 - 60.
Your grade will be based on your best 8 homeworks and your best 3 tests.

Make-up tests will be given only in the case of a documented medical excuse, a university-sanctioned absence (e.g., participation in a varsity sporting event), or a family emergency. Please see me at the earliest time possible to schedule a make-up. Make-up exams may be oral.
No collaboration is permitted on the tests.

On homework, collaboration is permitted subject to the following:
You may discuss homework problems with fellow students and with instructors in order to get help on various parts of a problem, but you may not simply copy someone else's solution;

  • Exams Schedule (Provisional):
    • Test 1: Wednesday, September 21, 2005

    Test 2: Wednesday, October 12, 2005

    Test 3: Wednesday, November 16, 2005.

    Test 4: Friday, December 9, 2005.

    Old Tests