The goals of this course are three-fold:

• To obtain a deep understanding of the theory that underlies Calculus.
• To learn how to construct and write rigorous mathematical proofs.
• To learn how to communicate difficult mathematics.

Textbook: Understanding Analysis, by Stephen Abbott. We will cover most of Chapters 1-6 of the book.

Prerequisites: MTH 234 or MTH 254H or LBS 220. Recommended: MTH 310.

Workload: To do well in this course you should expect to average six to nine hours of study per week outside of class (2-3 hours for each scheduled class hour).

Final grade. In most cases, your preliminary grade will be your final grade. However, I may adjust this grade by up to 0.5, either up or down, based on factors like attendance (both in class and at group meetings), positive contributions to the classroom experience, and improvement over time.

Policy on missed work. The only valid reasons for missing an exam are: (1) illness, or (2) a conflicting University activity that cannot be rescheduled. Claims involving such contingencies must be supported by verifiable documentation signed by: (1) your physician in case of illness, or (2) your faculty supervisor in case of a non-rescheduleable University activity. Each case will be handled on an individual basis.

No late homework will be accepted. However, I will drop your lowest homework score.

I strongly recommend that the group meet relatively early in the homework cycle: during the weekend, or on Monday at the latest. This way, if all the group members are stuck on a question, there is still time for you to get help during office hours or in the Monday evening problem session. The Monday night problem session, held from 7 to 9 PM in the International Center, is also a fine time for a group meeting.

The two basic rules of group work are:

• Attendance at group meetings is mandatory. Even if you feel perfectly comfortable in your knowledge of the material, you will gain a deeper understanding of it when you explain it to others. A dozen years after I first took Calculus, I still learn something new every time I teach it.

• After the group meetings, you must write up the homework solutions on your own. In the end, the purpose of the homework is to give you practice grappling with the concepts of the course. This will not happen if you rely on your classmates for all the solutions.

• Write up the problems in order, using only one side of the page and leaving lots of space for me to write comments. Please staple your sheets together.
  
• Begin each problem with a statement of that problem.
  
• Proofs should be written in complete sentences, with appropriate use made of mathematical notation (your textbook will serve as a guide to how to do this). Proofread what you've done to be sure that it's complete and makes sense. Remember that proof-writing is above all an act of communication, and that the ultimage goal is clarity.
  
• If you leave a small gap in a proof that you're not able to fill in, note this down. I'll try to indicate how to fill it in my comments.
  
• Start early! This way, if you are stuck, you can still discuss the problem with your group and/or with me.

Students are reminded that the University's policy concerning academic integrity is covered in the Spartan Life booklet, General Student Regulations. According to the handbook, "no student shall claim or submit the work of another as one's own".