MATC 1150-2

“Graph Theory in the Real World”

Course Meets: MTWR 10-10:50AM in JGH 205. Most days I will type up notes from the class and post them online.

Instructor: Allegra Reiber

Office: JGH 202A tel 303 871 2807

Office Hours: 9-9:50am Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs, 1-3pm Mon-Wed, 12-2pm Tues-Thurs, or by appointment.

Textbook: Introduction to Graph Theory, by Richard J. Trudeau.

Course Web Page: www.math.du.edu/~areiber/Gtheory/home.htm

Course Description: In this class, we will explore the mathematical subject of Graph Theory with an eye towards where the subject appears in real life. A graph is in its simplest form a collection of dots, called vertices, and lines drawn connecting some of the dots, called edges. We will learn how to make such a description mathematically rigorous and then use it with applications in mind, such as taking a path through campus without covering the same pavement twice, arranging schedules, assigning dance partners, coloring maps, and more.

Grade breakdown:

Written Homework / 30%
In-Class Work / 5%
Quizzes / 10%
Midterm 1 / 15%
Midterm 2 / 15%
Final (June 1, 10-11:50AM in JGH 205) / 25%

Homework: You should expect some homework nearly every day in this class. Sometimes it will just be a reading assignment from the book, and sometimes there will be accompanying problems to do in a worksheet or exercises from the text. Written homework will generally be due twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I encourage you to talk to each other and to me about your homework problems, but every one must turn in his or her own homework, which is to be written up individually. The penalty for cheating on HW will be failure (0 points) of the HW portion of your grade. The HW assignments and due dates will all be posted on the “Homework” link from the course web page, www.math.du.edu/~areiber/Gtheory/graphtheoryhw.htm.

In-Class Work: Some days we will do projects or worksheets in class. Generally this work will be done collaboratively, in groups.

Quizzes: We will have announced quizzes about once a week. These will be brief (15-20 minutes) problems that help test your knowledge of what we cover in the class and in homework. I will always tell you which HW assignments the quiz will cover.

Midterms: We will have two midterms in the class, roughly one in the fourth week and one in the seventh week. The midterms will happen in class. The second midterm may be replaced with a group project, depending on how much material we have covered. More details on this all to follow. The minimum penalty for cheating on an exam is failure of the course.

Final: Your final exam will take place in our classroom on Monday, June 1, 2009 from 10-11:50AM. The minimum penalty for cheating on an exam is failure of the course.

Honor Code: In this class, I expect each of you to respect the DU Honor Code in all the work that you do, on homework, exams, and quizzes. At the same time, I know that this course is different from anything you’ve taken before, and I do want you to work together or with me to learn how to write mathematics and think about things mathematically. For that reason, I am encouraging you to cite the people/places you use to help as you compose at-home assignments. Not citing the web page or person who gave you a hint is in effect a form of plagiarism and does mean you have violated the Honor Code. The Honor Code is online at the Office of Citizenship & Community Standards, http://www.du.edu/studentlife/ccs/index.html .

Having Fun: We need to learn, but my goal is to make learning Graph Theory fun for all of you. We will do so by using lots of real-world examples and by taking opportunities to construct and/or use three-dimensional graphs. Consider this class an expedition to a new world where we think about things in new, exciting ways. Consider me your tour guide on this adventure. And be sure to ask lots of questions to make your journey as useful and interesting as you can. I look forward to a great quarter.