605.203.8VL - Discrete Mathematics

Course Structure

The day of each class period, a new module will become available to you under Modules, containing the textbook reading, course notes, and homework assignment, which will typically be due the following week. You are encouraged to read the textbook sections before that week's class period. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Propositional logic (textbook sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4)
• Methods of Proof (1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8)
• Sets (2.1, 2.2)
• Functions (2.3, 2.4, 2.5)
• Induction (5.1, 5.2, 5.3)
• Counting (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4)
• Probability (7.1, 8.5, 8.6)
• Relations and Matrices (2.6, 9.1, 9.3)
• Equivalence Relations and Partial Orders (9.5, 9.6)
• Graphs (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4)
• Trees (11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4)

Course Goals

To define and precisely use standard mathematical terminology and concepts, to identify and apply appropriate methods of proof, and to relate topics in discrete mathematics to applications in computer science.

Textbooks

Rosen, K. H. (2019). Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN-13: 978-1-259-67651-2

Student Coursework Requirements

Grading is weighted as follows:

• 50% weekly homework (assigned problems turned in to be graded)
• 20% mid-term exam (in class)
• 20% final exam (in class)
• 10% participation (attendance and class discussion)

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Course Policies

In this course, you are expected to complete and submit your own work. Borrowing or copying material from other sources (e.g., web sites, large language models, other students, etc.) is prohibited. You are encouraged to write programs to help in the solution of homework problems where applicable, in which case you should include your source code in the submitted assignment.

When working on the exams you may consult the course text and this Canvas course site; otherwise, no other resources of any form may be consulted. You may not discuss the exams, even on the most casual level, with anyone except the instructor. You may not use a computer or calculator to assist you in working on the exams. (You may only use a computer as a document editor.)

Submit assignments as PDF, either typeset (e.g., using LaTeX or Word or other document editor) or hand written in legible print and scanned to PDF. Photos of documents will not be accepted. Include your first and last name in the filename (e.g., FarmerEricHW1.pdf, etc.) and in the document itself.

Late submissions of homework or exams will not be accepted.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.