Instructor: Dr. Manil Suri
Click here for detailed schedule.
Click here for homework problems assigned.
Click here for videos (Panopto).
Basic Information
- Dr. Manil Suri, MP 419, suri@umbc.edu, Phone: 410 455 2311 (email is better!)
Office hours: MW 3:30-4:30 or by appointment - Lectures: MW 1:00-2:45 (Sherman Hall 014)
- Text: Introduction to Real Analysis by Bartle and Sherbert (4th edition) [Note: If you are using an earlier edition, be sure to match HW problem numbers correctly.] There is a materials fee for this course. You can opt out if you like: look under “My Textbooks and Course Resources” on the Blackboard page for how to do this.
- Syllabus: Chapters 1-6,11 (some sections excluded – see detailed schedule)
- Prerequisites: Math 300 along with Math 142 or 152 (CMSC 203 recommended, but not necessary.)
Learning Goals
This course continues Math 300’s introduction to proving results (such as some you may have already seen in Calculus) by rigorous mathematical reasoning. The heart of this course is learning how to solve problems by applying such proof techniques. Some of the initial lectures will review and expand on material covered in Math 300.
A primary goal is to acquire further proficiency in the construction and writing of mathematical proofs. This is the main point on which you will be evaluated.
An additional goal is to learn useful mathematical results in analysis (the second point on which you will be evaluated).
A third goal is to be able to read a mathematical text – these can often be terse and dense, and it takes practice to read such material “actively.”
The techniques and mathematical results you learn in Math 301 will be required in higher-level mathematics courses you take in the future. Since Math 301 is one of the first courses that presents such a rigorous outlook on mathematics, the going can be quite challenging. Therefore, it is necessary to do all the problems you can and participate in class discussions.
“Flipped” Classroom
The “flipped” classroom strategy being employed in this class promotes a more active learning environment during lectures, and uses peer discussions to assist in learning the material and tackling homework.
VIDEO LECTURES: I have recorded videos of my lectures and put them on Panopto (use the “Panopto” tab on Blackboard to access these). Your task will be to watch the appropriate video(s) in advance of each class, and read the corresponding section from the book. We will typically be covering one section from the book during each lecture. Most videos have one or more questions built in, and to proceed, you will need to answer them (these are not for credit). A PDF of my hand-written notes from the video will be available under “Course Materials.”
IQUIZ: After watching these videos and reading the book section, you will complete an individual quiz before the corresponding class lecture (IQuiz2 before the second lecture, IQuiz3 before the third, etc.). These quizzes will require some work – you may have to re-watch/reread the material to be able to complete them. Quiz answers have to be submitted on Blackboard before the start of the next class (i.e. before 1 PM) to earn credit (since answers will be posted automatically on Bbd at 1 p.m.). These quizzes are designed to be an incentive for you to prepare yourself for the classwork to follow. There will also be a few questions on upcoming HW problems.
CLASS AND TQUIZ: At the beginning of each class, we will go over any questions anyone asks about the IQuiz for that lecture, and review the main points of the section covered. The class will be broken up into groups, and each group will work on a team quiz (TQuiz2 for lecture 2, TQuiz3 for lecture 3, etc.). These TQuiz assignments have to be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. that evening. Most TQuizzes are submitted individually, so you can use either your group’s answers, or your own. The exception will be those quizzes designated TGroup which involve composing a proof – these will be group efforts, with everyone earning a common grade on them.
On most Mondays, there will be an additional TQuiz based on HW problems assigned for the week, to help you to jointly figure out how to do them.
HOMEWORK: About 3 to 5 HW problems will be assigned per section (see HW page). The homework for the 2 sections covered on Monday and Wednesday will be worked on the following Monday in class, and will be due that Wednesday. Please refer to the detailed schedule. All HW has to be submitted via Blackboard – make sure any scans are completely legible! A primary goal of the HW will be to help develop your proof-writing skills. Ideally, you should attempt a few more problems from the end of each chapter, since they are all different, and can give you valuable practice in constructing proofs.
About 4 or 5 problems will be selected each time for grading. Solutions for HW submitted on a Wednesday will generally be posted under “Course Materials” on the Monday after that.
In addition to this, there will be a slate of “challenge” problems that I will assign periodically, and which you will have to submit separately. While the regular HW can be worked on with others, challenge problems (C1, C2, etc.) need to be done entirely by yourself, with no collaboration. Even if you don’t solve these problems, it is important to attempt them – you’ll be building up your mathematician muscles!
GROUPS: Groups will be randomized for the first few lectures, but then assigned and fixed once we get the hang of it. You will need to remember your group number, and join it each time we form breakout groups in Collaborate. Certain quiz grades will be group-based, so it is important to remember your group. Groups will be reassigned once during the semester.
The purpose of group work is to enhance your learning through discussion with your classmates. Be sure to let everyone speak, and make sure everyone is following along. Help each other! (Request: Please add a photo to your Blackboard profile if you feel comfortable doing so – this will create more of a community atmosphere.)
BLACKBOARD SUBMISSIONS: All IQuiz, TQuiz, HW and Challenge Problem submissions on Blackboard can be resubmitted up until the due time (i.e. if you change your mind on an answer, you can resubmit). Only the last submission will be graded. Do not submit anything past the deadline unless you have received special accommodation from me first.
TESTS and FINAL: Tests will be given twice in the semester, on October 7 and November 11. Also, a third test score will be calculated by averaging your scores in PartialTest1 (Oct 2), PartialTest2 (Nov 6), PartialTest3 (Dec 4). The best 2 test scores out of these 3 will be used. The first final will be held during the last lecture in class (Dec 9). If you like your grade based on this, you don’t have to attend the second final, held on TBA from 1 to 3 pm. (If you attend both, the best of the two grades will be used.) Generous preparatory materials will be made available before each of these exams on Bbd, and we will practice problems in class.
Requirements for Success
Math 301 is a challenging course and will require a substantial amount of time and effort on your part for success (Nobody has been able to find a shortcut to this, unfortunately). Please be sure that your schedule will allow you to watch videos, read the text, and complete quizzes on your own before each lecture (in addition to doing the weekly HWs and studying for tests). Do not come to class unprepared – I reserve the right to lower your grade for TQuizzes if you are habitually silent during group discussions.
Attendance at class lectures is essential! You will not get credit for TGroup quizzes held during lectures you do not attend (see me in case this happens). Bbd Collaborate records attendance automatically, but from time to time, I may also ask you to record it on Qwickly. Make sure your computer hardware is compatible with Blackboard. In particular, you will probably need a laptop for some tasks. (A phone, while great for scanning, will generally be too limited.)
Note that you won’t be able to get a good grade by just doing well in HW and Quizzes alone. You need to be able to write proofs without help from notes or the book. This ability will be measured through tests and the final, which cumulatively account for 55% of the grade. Sample Tests and Partial Tests done in class will help you improve these skills.
Grading
This apportioning may change, as might the cut-offs. Other categories may be added. Don’t get dejected if your scores seem low in the first third of the course – there will be ways to improve your grade.
- Homework: 17% (All HW is counted, lowest grades not dropped. You need a minimum of 65% on the HW to pass the class with a C or higher.)
- Challenge Problems: 3% (up to an extra 3% will be added as bonus, i.e. your score will be doubled)
- Quizzes: 25% (All quizzes are worth the same number of points. Lowest four quizzes dropped.)
- Tests: 35% (17.5% each, best 2 out of 3 as explained above)
- Final: 20% (best 1 out of 2 as explained above)
- Cut-offs: A: 90%, B: 80%, C: 65%, D: 55%.
- Note again, you need a minimum of 65% on the HW to get a C or higher.
Tutoring Help
In addition to asking me for help with upcoming HW, you can also approach the grader (hours TBA).
The Academic Success Center also makes tutoring available for this course https://lrc.umbc.edu/tutor/math-lab/. During sessions, peer tutors can help you with learning course concepts and methods of analysis, doing practice problems, and preparing for tests; they can also help with learning strategies and study skills.
Important Dates
Wed, Sep 11 is the last date to drop a class without a W on your transcript. Note that if you are still registered after this date, then this counts as an ATTEMPT at taking Math 301 (even if you subsequently drop the course). YOU ARE ALLOWED ONLY 2 ATTEMPTS to take Math 301 (after this, you can still petition for a third and final attempt, which may or may not be granted). If you feel you may not have the time or energy this semester to pass the class, please be sure to drop the course by Sep 11!
Wed, Nov 6 is the last date to drop this class with a grade of W. Please do not hesitate to talk to me if you need some guidance on how to proceed regarding these dates.
Academic Conduct
Although you are encouraged to collaborate with others, please note that copying answers off the web or from another student’s HW is plagiarism. Such activity may trigger an academic misconduct report, as would help obtained from others during tests and the final. The following applies:
“By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC’s scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory.”
Equity and Inclusion Support Statement