Program Overview

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General Information

Instructor

Professor Sarah Frei is the instructor for this course.

Scheduled Lectures

The course is scheduled as follows:

• Section 1: Sarah Frei
  • (Block 11) MWF 11:30—12:35
  • (x-hour) Tues 12:15—1:05
  • Haldeman 028

Textbook

The textbook for the course is Elements of Set Theory by Herbert B. Enderton.

Course Description

Set theory is the study of collections of objects and is used in almost every branch of mathematics. In this course, students will develop a highly structured picture of the set-theoretic universe. The course will cover how set theory becomes a foundation for mathematics by using sets to represent various kinds of mathematical objects. Students will learn techniques for proving things about sets and develop the skill of writing clear and logically correct mathematical arguments.

Learning Objectives

The learning objectives for this course are:

• Students will be able to use the language and basic notions of set theory in reading textbooks, solving problems, and writing proofs.
• Students will be able to write clear and correct proofs, using valid logical reasoning.
• Students will know the important theorems and definitions in set theory, be able to state them correctly, and use them in solving problems and writing proofs.

Expectations

The instructor believes in the axioms laid out by SFSU Professor Federico Ardila, which guide the instruction of this course. These axioms are:

1. Mathematical potential is distributed equally among different groups, irrespective of geographic, demographic, and economic boundaries.
2. Everyone can have joyful, meaningful, and empowering mathematical experiences.
3. Mathematics is a powerful, malleable tool that can be shaped and used differently by various communities to serve their needs.
4. Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Resources

Available resources for students include:

• The Academic Skills Center
• The Peer Tutoring Program
• Mathematica and Wolfram|Alpha Pro

The X-hour

The x-hour will be used approximately every other week to make up for cancelled regular class meetings.

Grades

The course grade will be computed as follows: | Percent of Final Grade
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Homework | 40
Midterms | 34 (17 each)
Final Exam | 26

Exams

There will be two midterm exams and a cumulative final exam.

• Exam 1: Thursday, April 24, 6:00-8:00pm
• Exam 2: Thursday, May 15, 6:00-8:00pm
• Final Exam: Sunday, June 8, 3:00-6:00pm

Homework Policy

Homework assignments will be assigned once a week on Wednesdays and will be posted on Canvas. Homework is a very important component of the course, and students should expect to spend a lot of time doing homework.

Student Office Hours

The instructor has set aside specific times for office hours, during which students can ask questions, discuss their progress, or seek help with homework.

The Honor Principle

The honor principle on homework and exams is as follows:

• Cooperation on weekly homework is permitted, but students should write up the solution on their own.
• External resources policy: Mathematical writing is very idiosyncratic; if proofs are copied, it is easy to tell.
• The honor principle on exams: Students may not give or receive assistance of any kind on an exam from any person except for the professor or someone explicitly designated by the professor to answer questions about the exam.

Student Accessibility and Accommodations

Students requesting disability-related accommodations and services for this course are required to register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and to request that an accommodation email be sent to their instructor in advance of the need for an accommodation.

Religious Observances

Dartmouth has a deep commitment to support students’ religious observances and diverse faith practices. If a student has a religious observance that conflicts with their participation in the course, they should meet with the instructor as soon as possible to discuss appropriate course adjustments.

Mental Health and Wellness

The academic environment is challenging, and there are a number of resources available to support students' wellness, including the Counseling Center, the Student Wellness Center, and the undergraduate dean.

Title IX

At Dartmouth, we value integrity, responsibility, and respect for the rights and interests of others, all central to our Principles of Community. We strive to promote an environment of sexual respect, safety, and well-being. The Sexual Respect Website at Dartmouth provides a wealth of information on students' rights with regard to sexual respect and resources that are available to all in our community.