We will begin with Chapters 1 through 3, which contain important background material for any upper division course in this department, from Analysis or Abstract Algebra. Sequences and Series are covered in Chapters 4 and 8. We will also discuss parts of Chapter 5 before the semester ends.

• Writing Problems: to satisfy the writing intensive component of the class, you will spend a significant amount of time writing out detailed solutions to these problems. You will be expected to explain your work, use mathematically correct language and symbols, and use proper reasoning and techniques of proof. Getting feedback and revising your work is an important part of the writing process, so after receiving your writing problems back from your teaching assistant, you may hand in one revision of your solution to attempt to earn a higher score. This revision is due the next Thursday with the regularly scheduled homework at the beginning of class. (Example: your first homework is due on 9/15/11. You should receive it back on 9/22/11. If you would like to revise the solution for your writing problem, you must hand it in on 9/29/11.) Revisions will not be accepted after this one-week window. Also pay attention at the end of the semester, when the schedule will change slightly; we will announce the final date to hand in any revisions on the last homework assignments. (Approximately 20 points per assignment.)


• Graded Problems: Some of the problems on your assignment will be graded for correctness. Although the standard will not be as high as on the writing problems, you are still expected to explain your work as needed. (Approximately 10-12 points per assignment.)


• Completion Problems: The remaining problems will be graded for completion; you will receive these points if a glance at the rest of your assignment convinces your teaching assistant that you made an honest effort to complete each problem. (Approximately 3-5 points per assignment.)

You will not know beforehand which problems will be graded and which will count towards completion. Assignments will generally be worth 35 points, although minor variations may occur during the semester. Also see the important remark about writing problems in the grading scheme section below.

A note on academic honesty: In past semesters, large numbers of 3283W students in have handed in solutions taken more-or-less directly from the solutions manual, which can be found easily (if illegally) online. This behavior is academically dishonest and not appropriate for students in a University level course. Such actions can result in a score of zero on the problem, the entire assignment, and for your entire course grade. We encourage you to work together, but solutions must be written in your own words, and not identical to another student's work, a printed source or an online source. If this behavior continues during this semester, homework assignments will be replaced with weekly, in-class writing intensive tests, which would be much less desirable from the students' point of view.

Make-up exams will only be permitted in extraordinary situations. (Think "emergency surgery," not "oversleeping," although I will be impressed if you manage to sleep late enough to miss an 11:15am class.)

Because this is a writing intensive class, you must earn at least a C- or better on the writing intensive problems to pass the course. Hence you should strive to average 70% or higher on these problems. (The C- gradeline may drop below 70%, but you should not count on it.)