CS 55 at Pomona College is an introduction to discrete mathematics: the study of logic, set theory, inductive structures, the natural numbers and integers, counting, probability, and graph theory. We could have called the course “how to think like a computer scientist”.

From the course catalog:

Introduction to the study of finite mathematical structures and the ways to build them, count them and analyze them. Topics and examples chosen to relate to concepts of interest in the design and analysis of computer algorithms, including permutations and combinations, graphs and trees and codes. Emphasis on creative problem solving and learning to read and write proofs.

Or, from Bertrand Russell, as discrete a mathematician as you might find:

The eternal world is trivial, and … mathematics is only the art of saying the same thing in different words.

Prerequisites: CS 51 or equivalent (AP CS, CS 5 at Mudd, or significant programming experience).

Office hours and mentor sessions

The entries here are ordered by increasing closeness to assignment due dates (Wednesdays in class).

Day Time Location
Sonia Grunwald Saturday 2–4pm Edmunds 2nd floor
Mark Hallman Sunday 3–5pm Edmunds 2nd floor
Emily Chen Sunday 7–9pm Edmunds 2nd floor
Mary Jac Heuman Monday 3–5pm Edmunds 2nd floor
Alex Hof Monday 7–9pm Edmunds 2nd floor
Prof. Michael Greenberg Tuesday 1–3pm Edmunds 225

I’m available at other times by appointment—send me an email.

Meetings

Please note that the chapter numbers for readings are for Rosen’s 7th Edition.

Date Topic Reading
1 01-18 Logic (Prof. Bruce’s slides) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
2 01-23 Quantifiers 1.4, 1.5, 1.7
3 01-25 Naïve set theory 2.1, 2.2 HW01 due
4 01-30 Relations 9.1, 9.2
5 02-01 Functions 2.3 HW02 due
6 02-06 More functions 2.4, 2.5
7 02-08 Sequences, summations, and countability 3.2
8 02-13 Asymptotics 5.1, 5.2 HW03 due
9 02-15 Induction 5.3, 5.4
10 02-20 Recursive definitions 4.1 HW04 due
11 02-22 Countability review; strong induction 4.1
12 02-27 Induction review 4.3, 4.4 HW05 due
13 03-01 Sample midterm 4.5, 4.6
14 03-06 Review HW06 due
15 03-08 Midterm in class
03-13 Spring break
03-15 Spring break
03-20 No class
16 03-22 Permutations 6.1, 6.3, 6.5
17 03-27 The Pigeonhole Principle; The Binomial Theorem 6.2, 6.4
18 03-29 Discrete probability 7.1 HW07 due
19 04-03 Probability theory 7.2
20 04-05 Bayes’s Theorem 7.3, 7.4 HW08 due
21 04-10 Equivalence relations 9.5
22 04-12 Working with relations 9.3, 9.4, 10.1 HW09 due
23 04-17 Lattices and order 9.6
24 04-19 Graphs 10.1 HW10 due
25 04-24 Graph representations 10.2, 10.3
26 04-26 Paths and circuits 10.4, 10.5 HW11 due
27 05-01 Trees 11.1, 11.5
28 05-03 Flex day/review HW12 due
05-08 Final exam at 9am in Seaver Commons 103