Instructor: Randy McCarthy, 244-7307, randy@math.uiuc.edu

Office Hour 9:00-9:50 Friday, 324 Illini Hall or by appointment.

Text: Mathematical Thinking: Problem-Solving and Proofs, 2nd edition, by John P. D'Angelo and Douglas B. West.

Time: 9:00-9:50 Mon., Tues., Wed., Thur.

What is Math 248? Math 248 is a new course offered by the Department of Mathematics beginning Fall 2002. Math 248 is identical to Math 247 plus an additional class hour each week devoted to writing activities. Math 248 carries 4 credit hours (Math 247 carries 3 credit hours) and satisfies the Advanced Composition General Education requirement.

Does Math 248 count for a mathematics major? Yes, mathematics majors must take either Math 247 or Math 248.

Is the course open to students in other majors? Yes. The prerequisites are Math 130 or Math 135 and completion of the Composition I General Education requirement.

When is the best time to take Math 248? The best time to take Math 248 (or Math 247) is after you have completed Calculus I and II, but before taking 300 level mathematics courses. Math 247 or Math 248 is meant to help prepare you for upper division mathematics courses.

Is Math 248 more difficult than Math 247? No. It covers the same mathematical material, at the same level of difficulty. There is additional work on the writing of mathematics. You will be writing about the mathematics you are studying; this will help you learn the material. The writing skills you learn will be useful in other mathematics and science courses as well.

What will the writing assignments in Math 248 be like? Much of the homework in Math 247 or Math 248 involves the writing of mathematical proofs, and the writing assignments will help you learn to write proofs well. Most of the writing assignments will ask you to write a draft of one or more proofs, get feedback on both the mathematics and the writing from your fellow students and the instructor, then rewrite and turn in a final draft. You will frequently spend time in class working on your writing with other students. You will receive basic instruction in the use of the mathematical work processing program LaTex. On average, you will write 1-3 pages each week, in addition to regular homework assignments. Other topics for writing assignments include use of notation, writing for a non-technical audience, and writing abstracts. A tentative schedule of writing assignments appears on the   Information and Policies page .