Old Dominion University

Internet-Based Course

CS 381 - Discrete Structures

Fall 2001

Prof. Shunichi Toida

Updated on August 6, 2001

This course covers the fundamental mathematical concepts and reasoning along with problem solving techniques. Topics covered include propositional logic, predicate logic, inferencing, proof methods including induction, set operations, binary relations including order relations, and equivalence relations, graphs, and functions.

This course will be delivered via the internet, as part of the Computer Science Dept's TechEd initiative, under the ODU Teletechnet program. There will be no live (classroom or Teletechnet) lectures for this course, although a few question and answer sessions through Teletechnet may be given. Under this program, a complete upper-division (junior and senior) CS bachelors degree program will be made available via the internet.

The Fall 2001 offering of CS 381 is intended for those who live near ODU Teletechnet sites. This will be the third offering of this course via the Internet following successful runs in Fall 1999 and Spring 2001. Although we will make every effort to provide a proper learning environment for students in this class, anyone taking the course should be prepared for the possibility, or the probability, that some things will go wrong. Students who register for this course should do so with the understanding that they are partners, with the instructor, in trying to provide a better learning experience for the students who will follow in subsequent semesters. If you are the kind of student who is easily distracted by unexpected technical problems, then please don't take this class in Fall 2001 semester.

Course Prerequisites

CS 150 (Introduction to Programming),

MATH 163 (Pre-Calculus II),
or equivalents.

Calculus is preferred but not required.

Students are presumed to be familiar with basic programming techniques, including the use of functions and procedures, loops and recursion. Also assumed is facility with basic algebra.

Students are also expected to be familiar with the use of standard Internet-based tools including e-mail

Technical Requirements - Hardware

Because this course is hosted on the Internet, you will need to make sure that you have access to the appropriate computing equipment and software to participate in the course activities.

Hardware requirements are pretty straightforward.

Required

Almost any Pentium-class Windows 95, 98 or higher, or NT machine should do. Equivalently powered Unix or Macintosh machines are also acceptable, though these may introduce other limitations regarding software (below).

Whatever the machine, a good Internet connection is essential. You should be able to connect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) at 28k or better. Perhaps more importantly, your ISP must be able to actually feed you information at that rate during the time periods when you will be logged in.

Technical Requirements - Software

Software requirements are more specific:

Required:

Web browser: Acceptable are Internet Explorer 4.0 or better, and Netscape Navigator 4.05 or better
Note that both of these are available for free downloading on Windows (and Macintosh?) platforms. Netscape is available for free on Unix platforms.
Java: A Java engine is included in your web browser. You may need to activate it from your browser's "settings" or "preferences" area. Occasionally, an otherwise correctly installed browser will not be able to run Java programs (applets). Click here to test the Java engine in your current browser. If a window appears, complete with menus, buttons, etc., then all is well.
e-mail: Any MIME-compliant e-mail program should do.
telnet, ftp: Any program should do.

Communications with the Instructor

The main communication medium is e-mail, (toida@cs.odu.edu), though you may also use telephone, ( (757)683-3392 ).
- Homeworks: hand in by attaching a file (see 2. below) to an e-mail
- Questions: send an e-mail. May attach a file (see 2. below) to an e-mail.
The accepted files are MS Word (.doc), PDF or Postscript (.ps) files. NO OTHER FILES are accepted. For mathematical symbols, you may also follow the convention given in legend with red color, thus avoiding the use of special fonts.
e-mail questions are first going to be acknowledged (usually immediately but within a few hours at the worst except weekends) and then they are going to be answered by e-mail. Every effort will be made to reply as soon as possible and at the worst within 24 hours of receipt (except on weekends). It is not always possible to reply within a few minutes or even a few hours.

Click here to go to Fall 2001 CS381 Home Page.

For any questions, e-mail me at toida@cs.odu.edu