Math 31003, Section 002

Fall 2026

Homework will be posted to this web page. The complete homework assignment will be posted at least four days before it is due. Students are responsible for checking this website for homework due dates and assignments at least weekly.

Information on this syllabus is subject to change. Any updates will be posted to this site, and the class will be notified of any major updates by email or in class announcement. (Homework assignments are not considered major updates.) In particular, any required changes in course delivery, such as transition to remote delivery only, may necessitate significant modifications to this syllabus.

Homework assignments and important dates

Useful documents and links

• Professor Barton’s notes on inverse functions, trigonometry, and exponentials (PDF file)

Instructor

Ariel Barton

Contact Information

Email aeb019@uark.edu, office SCEN 348

The best way to communicate with me (beyond coming to my office hours) is by email. You can expect a reply within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Office hours for students

No office hours will be held during fall break (October 19–20) or Thanksgiving break (November 26–27). Office hours are currently scheduled for the following times:

• Wednesdays, 12:55–1:45, SCEN 348
• Thursdays, 2:00, Zoom (I will be in SCEN 348 if I am on campus)
• Fridays, 11:50–12:40, SCEN 348

The scheduled office hours above are on a drop in basis; at these times, you do not need an appointment. If the selected times do not work for you, or if you wish to speak to me privately, please email me and we will schedule an appointment at another time.

If the University is closed due to inclement weather, office hours will be held over Zoom unless the instructor is without electricity or internet access. Class will either be also held over Zoom or cancelled; you will be notified of which by email as soon as possible.

Course Information

Class time and location

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 3:05–3:55 p.m., Gearhart Hall (GEAR) 108

Course Description

Basic combinatorial techniques including the study of the principle of inclusion and exclusion and generating functions. Additional topics may include modular arithmetic, algebraic coding theory, Polya’s method of enumeration, and an introduction to abstract algebraic structures.

Prerequisites

MATH 26103 (Discrete Mathematics) or MATH 28003 (Transition to Advanced Mathematics); pre- or corequisite MATH 30803 or MATH 30903 (Linear Algebra). Students should be familiar with the standard notation and properties of sets, functions, and relations, and should have working knowledge of vector spaces, dimension, and bases.

Textbooks

We will use a number of texts that are available for free and legal download. These texts include:

• Mathematics for Computer Science by Eric Lehman, F. Thomson Leighton, and Albert R. Meyer (a PDF version is available at this link)
• Discrete Mathematics: An Open Introduction by Levin, Oscar
• Discrete Mathematics with Graph Theory by Yadav, Santosh Kumar
• Combinatorics by Merris, Russel
• Discrete mathematics with coding by Junghenn, Hugo D.
• Fundamental approach to discrete mathematics by Acharjya, D. P.; Sreekumar

Evaluation/grading

Here is how I plan to weigh your grades:

Tests

There will be three midterms tests and a final exam. I plan to hold midterm exams during class time on the dates indicated in the calendar above. The final exam will occur in our regular classroom at the time indicated on the registrar’s website.

Students may use non-graphing calculators, one index card of notes (two on the final), and portable timepieces on exams. All other electronic devices, including watches that do anything other than tell the time and date, are prohibited.

Make-up exams

Make-up exam requests require written documentation as to your conflict. Except in the case of medical or other unforeseen emergencies, make-up exam requests must be made at least one week before the exam is to be held. Make-up exams are at the instructor’s discretion; if you do not provide a documented reason why you cannot take the exam at the usual time, if your reason is considered inadequate, or if your request for a make-up exam is not made in a timely fashion, I reserve the right to refuse a make-up exam or to assess a late penalty (deduction from your score). See the departmental/university policy on excusable absences below.

All make-up exams, including make-up final exams, will be taken in the testing center attached to the Mathematics Resource and Teaching Center (MRTC) in Champions Hall. Students should familiarize themselves with the testing center guidelines before taking a make-up exam.

Homework

Assignments will be posted to this website. The due date and time will be clearly indicated. Each week you will be assigned a number of suggested practice problems and a smaller number of graded problems. You may ask anyone for help with your homework, but you must write up your solutions on your own.

Self-checked problems will not be graded and need not be turned in. It is important that you do these problems; you will learn the material much better if you practice it by doing all problems, and material covered only on suggested practice problems and not on instructor-corrected problems will still appear on the midterm tests and final exam.

Conditionally upon student preferences as determined the first day of class, homework will be collected through Gradescope.

Late homework will not be accepted without prior permission, except in the case of a medical or other unforeseeable emergency, and documentation will be required.

I expect to have 12 assignments over the course of the semester; your lowest score (or two scores) will be dropped.

Course policies

Students are expected to monitor their uark email address regularly and consult the course Blackboard site for important announcements.

Accommodations

You may request accommodations to enhance your learning. Minor accommodations are available to any student who makes the request in a timely fashion (for example, I am happy to provide large print versions of exams to any student who would find that helpful). Major accommodations (such as extra time on exams) will be granted only in the case of a documented disability and at the request of the Center for Educational Access (CEA). See the departmental/university policy on Access and Accommodations below.

The CEA has requested that accommodated math exams (including accommodated final exams) be taken in the testing center attached to the Mathematics Resource and Teaching Center (MRTC) in Champions Hall. This is considered by the CEA to be a distraction-reduced testing environment. If you want to use the CEA’s private rooms instead, you must make appropriate arrangements with the CEA and also inform me in time to meet their deadlines, and in any case at least one week before the exam.

Electronic devices

Cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices may be used in class. The expectation is that these devices will be used for taking notes, routine calculations (i.e., calculator apps), accessing course materials, and other course-related uses only. Please do not text or play games in class!

Artificial intelligence

Students may use artificial intelligence tools and other computer-based tools for to help with their writing, but not to replace their own work. Some examples of acceptable use are:

• Handwriting recognition, including transcription into LaTeX.
• Translation from their preferred language into English.
• Checking the grammar and/or spelling of their work.

Use of generative artificial intelligence tools to produce the content of your work (rather than to refine the presentation, as above), while completing academic work that is submitted for credit, will be considered academic dishonesty in this course and reported to the Office of Academic Initiatives and Integrity. If you are uncertain as to whether a particular use of generative artificial intelligence is allowed, please consult your instructor.

Recording of Class Lectures

The lecture will be recorded on the room’s camera and recordings will be posted to Blackboard for student reference. These recordings are provided “as is” as a hopefully-useful supplement, but their availability and quality is not guaranteed and no make-up recordings or materials will be posted in the event of technical issues (such as the room’s camera recording the wrong wall).

Students who need or particularly desire high-quality reliable recordings are allowed to record lectures with their own devices for their own use.

In addition, if the University is open but the weather is severe, a Zoom meeting will be opened during class so that students may participate remotely in real time.

By attending this class, the student understands the course may be recorded and consents to being recorded for official university educational purposes. Be aware that incidental recording may also occur before and after official class times. Recordings may include personally-identifiable comments submitted to the chat stream during class.

Students are bound by the departmental/university policies on use of recordings documented below.

Grade Disputes

The instructor is committed to keeping students informed of their standing in the class. Scores on all graded items will be posted in a timely manner. Students are expected to bring any possible errors to the attention of the instructor within one week of posting. This maintains an accurate grade record throughout the semester. All scores posted before Reading Day will be deemed accurate unless a possible error is brought to the attention of the instructor before the time scheduled by the Registrar for the final exam. No opportunities for extra credit or make-up work will be available after the final class. Course grades will not be changed after the end of the semester unless a student can provide clear documentation of an error on the instructor’s part.

Incompletes

Only given in extreme circumstances, and only when the student has satisfactorily completed all but a small portion of the work in the course. Students must make prior arrangements with the professor well before the end of the semester. In particular, under no circumstances will a request for an Incomplete made after the student has taken the final be granted.

Inclement weather policy

The instructor is committed to following the University’s policies on inclement weather (Academic Policy 1858.10 and Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 210.0) and to ensuring that students can learn safely.

If the University is closed due to inclement weather, office hours will be held over Zoom unless the instructor is without electricity or internet access. Class will either be also held over Zoom or cancelled; you will be notified of which by email as soon as possible.

Students will not be penalized for being absent on those days when the University is open but the Fayetteville Public Schools are closed due to the weather. On such days the instructor will be present but will broadcast class to Zoom, and students off campus are encouraged to attend in real time and ask questions.

If the University or the Fayetteville Public Schools are closed on a day when a midterm exam is scheduled, the exam will be rescheduled to the next class day and a standard lecture will be given instead.

If class is held over Zoom, the instructor will record the class via Zoom as well as Echo 360 and will make the alternative recording available through Blackboard.

If attendance is severely affected by weather, deadlines and exam dates may be adjusted. Please do not call the Department of Mathematical Sciences with weather-related inquiries. You may contact me for information.

Department and University policies

Make-up exams

Make-up exams for all math courses are taken in the Mathematics Testing Center maintained by the MRTC. You will be allowed to take your exam on the scheduled exam date at any time when the Testing Center is open. You must finish your exam before the Testing Center closes; it is your responsibility to arrive early enough to allow this to happen.

If you have three or more final exams scheduled for the same date, then under University policy you are entitled to reschedule one of your finals. If you wish to reschedule the final for our class, please notify me by email before the registrar’s withdrawal deadline, and I will arrange for you to take a make-up final later in the week.

Emergency Procedures

The University of Arkansas is prepared for a wide range of emergencies. Many types of emergencies can occur on campus; instructions for specific emergencies such as severe weather, active shooter, or fire can be found at http://emergency.uark.edu/.

The University of Arkansas has a campus-wide alert system for any hazardous conditions that may arise on campus. To learn more and to sign up, visit the RazALERT website.

• Violence/Active Shooter (CADD):
  • CALL: 9-1-1
  • AVOID: If possible, self-evacuate to a safe area outside the building. Follow directions of police officers.
  • DENY: Barricade the door with desk, chairs, bookcases, or any other items available in the space. Move to a place inside the room where you are not visible. Turn off the lights and remain quiet. Remain there until told by police it’s safe.
  • DEFEND: Use chairs, desks, cell phones or whatever is immediately available to distract and/or defend yourself and others from attack.
• Tornado Warning:
  • Follow the directions of the instructor or emergency personnel.
  • Seek shelter in the basement or interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
  • If you are in a multi-story building and you cannot get to the lowest floor, pick a hallway in the center of the building.
  • Stay in the center of the room, away from exterior walls, windows, and doors.
  • For more on emergency information, visit emergency.uark.edu

Attendance and excusable absences

(from the faculty handbook) Education at the university level requires active involvement in the learning process. Therefore students have the responsibility to attend classes and to actively engage in all learning assignments or opportunities provided in their classes. Instructors have the responsibility to provide a written policy on student attendance that is tied to course objectives and included in a course syllabus. There may be times, however, when illness, family crisis, or university-sponsored activities make full attendance or participation impossible. In these situations students are responsible for making timely arrangements with the instructor to make up work missed. Such arrangements should be made in writing and prior to the absence when possible.

Examples of absences that should be considered excusable include those resulting from the following: 1) illness of the student, 2) serious illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family or other family crisis, 3) University-sponsored activities for which the student’s attendance is required by virtue of scholarship or leadership/participation responsibilities, 4) religious observances (see Students’ Religious Observances policy below), 5) jury duty or subpoena for court appearance, and 6) military duty. The instructor has the right to require that the student provide appropriate documentation for any absence for which the student wishes to be excused.

Academic integrity

(from honesty.uark.edu) As a core part of its mission, the University of Arkansas provides students with the opportunity to further their educational goals through programs of study and research in an environment that promotes freedom of inquiry and academic responsibility. Accomplishing this mission is only possible when intellectual honesty and individual integrity prevail.

Each University of Arkansas student is required to be familiar with and abide by the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, which may be found at provost.uark.edu. Students with questions about how these policies apply to a particular course or assignment should immediately contact their instructor.

Note Selling/Intellectual property

(from honesty.uark.edu/faculty) Third parties may attempt to connect with you to buy your notes and other course information from this class. I will consider distributing course materials to a third party without my authorization a violation of my intellectual property rights and/or copyright law as well as a violation of the U of A’s academic integrity policy. Continued enrollment in this class signifies your intent to abide by the policy. Any violation will be reported to the Office of Academic Initiatives and Integrity.

Please be aware that such class materials that may have already been given to such third parties may contain errors, which could affect your performance or grade. Recommendations for success in this course include coming to class on a routine basis, visiting me during my office hours, connecting with the Teaching Assistant (TA), and making use of CLASS+. If a third party should contact you regarding such an offer, I would appreciate your bringing this to my attention. We all play a part in creating a course climate of integrity.

Unauthorized Use of Class Recordings

(from tips.uark.edu) Recordings posted to Blackboard may be used by students only for the purposes of the class. Students may not download, store, copy, alter, post, share, or distribute in any manner all or any portion of the class recording, e.g. a 5-second clip of a class recording sent as a private message to one person is a violation of this provision. This provision may protect the following interests (as well as other interests not listed): faculty and university copyright; FERPA rights; and other privacy interests protected under state and/or federal law. Failure to comply with this provision will result in a referral to the Office of Student Standards and Conduct for potential charges under the Code of Student Life. In situations where the recordings are used to gain an academic advantage, it may also be considered a violation of the University of Arkansas’ academic integrity policy.

Access and Accommodations

(from cea.uark.edu) Your experience in this class is important to me. University of Arkansas Academic Policy Series 1520.10 requires that students with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have already established accommodations with the Center for Educational Access (CEA), please request your accommodations letter early in the semester and contact me privately, so that we have adequate time to arrange your approved academic accommodations.

If you have not yet established services through CEA, but have a documented disability and require accommodations (conditions include but not limited to: mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical, health or temporary impacts), contact CEA directly to set up an Access Plan. CEA facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. For more information on CEA registration procedures contact 479–575–3104, ada@uark.edu or visit cea.uark.edu.

CAPS and U of A Cares

As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning such as relationship issues, anxiety, depression, alcohol/drug issues, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce one’s ability to participate in daily activities, and the University of Arkansas has resources to help! If you or a friend are in need of assistance, please reach out to the following resources:

• U of A CARES – resources, referrals, and advocacy for students in need, https://uofacares.uark.edu/
• UARK Wellness/Wellness Coaching -supporting academic and personal success, https://urec.uark.edu/wellness/wellness-coaching.php
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – (479) 575-5276, services available 24/7 (after hours by phone), https://health.uark.edu/mental-health/index.php
• Substance Education, Assessment, and Recovery (SEAR) sear@uark.edu, https://health.uark.edu/sear/

Tutoring and help

• For help with mathematics, especially with review of calculus or algebra, see the MRTC Tutoring Center located in Champions Hall (https://math.uark.edu/mrtc/)
• For generalized academic help, see the Student Success initiative (https://success.uark.edu/academic-initiatives/index.php)
• For hiring personal tutors: Tutor Request via the Department of Mathematical Sciences (https://math.uark.edu/about-the-department/forms/tutor-request.php)