MACM 101: Discrete Mathematics I
Updates
- May 19 - Office hours updated.
- May 11 - Page created.
Course information
| Instructor: | Matt Amy |
| Email: | matt_amy at sfu.ca |
| Office: | TASC1 9429 |
| TAs: | Mohammad Mahdi Khodabandeh (mmk25 at sfu.ca) |
| Clement Wan (cwa274 at sfu.ca) | |
| Pegah Aryadoost (paa40 at sfu.ca) | |
| Classes: | M/W/F 12:30-1:20 (AQ 3181) |
| Office hours: | Matt -- Directly after lectures |
| Mohammad -- Tuesdays, 3pm-4 (ASB 9810) | |
| Clement -- Wednesdays, 4pm-5 (ASB 9838.1) | |
| Pegah -- Tuesdays, 11am-12 (zoom) | |
| Textbook: | Discrete Mathematics and its Applications, Kenneth H. Rosen (8th or 7th ed) |
| Discussion forum: | https://piazza.com/sfu.ca/summer2026/macm101/home |
| Prerequisites: | BC High School Math 12 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C. |
Course description
Discrete structures are everywhere if we know how to look for them. One can view discrete mathematics as the mathematics of abstraction: abstracting away the complications of continuous physical reality so that we can reason about zeros and ones, integers, maps with distinct locations connected by roads, or mechanical processes that transform gidgets into whizzbangs. It is the mathematics we arrive at when we forget that such processes are ultimately manipulating collections of atoms and instead focus only on the gidgets and whizzbangs. Since computers are built on discrete abstractions, discrete mathematics forms a mathematical foundation for computer science, from logic and (automated) reasoning to algorithms and data structures.
This course is an introduction to the field of discrete mathematics. As an introduction, it focuses on the basic principles of discrete structures and formal mathematical proof, while motivating their relevance through examples drawn from Computing Science.
Topics
- Logic, reasoning, and proofs (4 weeks)
- Sets, relations, and functions (2-3 weeks)
- Integers and number theory (2-3 weeks)
- Graphs and trees (2 weeks)
Schedule
Lecture recordings: here
| Week | Topic(s) | Readings | Slides | Tutorial problems (Thursdays) |
Homework (Thurs, 11:59pm) |
Activities (Friday, in-class) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11-15 | Intro, propositional logic | Rosen 1.1, 1.2 | May 11, May 13, May 15 | |||
| May 18-22 | Logical laws & inference | 1.3, 1.6 (excl. 1.6.7, 1.6.8) | May 20, May 22 | Tutorial 1 | Homework 1 | Quiz 1 |
| May 25-29 | Predicates & quantifiers | 1.4, 1.5, 1.6.7, 1.6.8 | Tutorial 2 | Homework 2 | Quiz 2 | |
| June 1-5 | Theorems & proofs | 1.7, 1.8 | Tutorial 3 | Homework 3 | Quiz 3 |
Grading
| Component | Weight | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Homework (completion grade) | 5% | Weekly |
| Quizzes | 10% | Weekly |
| Midterm #1 | 17.5% | June 19th |
| Midterm #2 | 17.5% | July 17th |
| Final exam | 50% | Scheduled by the registrar |
Students must pass the final exam for an overall passing grade (D or better).
Students must pass the weighted average of the exams for a clear pass (C- or better)
Labs
In labs, TAs will run through solutions of practice problems. The practice exercises will be posted here to the website prior to the Thursday labs, so you can take a look ahead of time and attempt to solve the problems on your own.
- Tutorial 1, May 21st
- Tutorial 2, May 28th
- Tutorial 3, June 4th
- Tutorial 4, June 11th
- Tutorial 5, June 25th
- Tutorial 6, July 2nd
- Tutorial 7, July 9th
- Tutorial 8, July 23rd
- Tutorial 9, July 30th
- Tutorial 10, August 6th
Homework
Homework will be assignment weekly, apart from the first week and midterm weeks, to be completed by Thursday at 11:59pm. Homework assignments will not be graded, but it is strongly advised that you complete the homework assignments. For each homework assignment that you submit, even partially completed, you will receive a completion mark, adding up to 5% of your overall grade.
- Homework 1 (due May 21st, 11:59pm)
- Homework 2 (due May 28th)
- Homework 3 (due June 4th)
- Homework 4 (due June 11th)
- Homework 5 (due June 25th)
- Homework 6 (due July 2nd)
- Homework 7 (due July 9th)
- Homework 8 (due July 23rd)
- Homework 9 (due July 30th)
- Homework 10 (due August 6th)
Quizzes
Every Friday, apart from the first week and midterm weeks, there will be a short 10 minute quiz in class. Quiz questions will be chosen from the homework for that week.
We know that sometimes events happen out of your control, or maybe you just had a bad day/week, so only the top 8 out of 10 quiz grades will contribute to you overall grade. This means in particular that you can miss two Friday quizzes with no penalty. In the case of further extenuating circumstances, email the instructor.
Exam policy
Students are expected to attend all scheduled midterm and final exams. Midterm exams will be held in class.
If you miss an assessment due to illness, emergency, or another serious circumstance, contact the instructor as soon as possible. Make-up assessments or alternative grading arrangements may be provided at the instructor’s discretion and subject to university policy.
Participation and Attendance
Students are expected to:
- Attend lectures and labs.
- Participate respectfully in discussions.
- Complete assigned readings and activities before class.
- Check the course website regularly.
Communication Policy
Course announcements will be posted on the course website and/or communicated by email. Students are responsible for regularly checking the website.
You can contact the instructional team by email. Messages sent during evenings, weekends, or holidays may not receive an immediate response. Please use the Piazza discussion board to post questions about course content so that other students can also learn from the answers.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to complete their work honestly and to follow university policies on academic integrity. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Plagiarism.
- Unauthorized collaboration.
- Use of unauthorized materials during assessments.
- Submitting work produced by another person.
- Fabricating data or citations.
- Reusing work submitted in another course without permission.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Students requiring academic accommodations should contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) as early as possible. Students are also encouraged to inform the instructor of approved accommodations in a timely manner in case arrangements need to be made.
Respectful Learning Environment
All students are expected to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and professional learning environment. Disruptive, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour will not be tolerated.
Discussion and disagreement are part of academic learning, but all interactions should remain constructive and respectful.
Privacy and Recording
Lectures, tutorials, or meetings may be recorded only with permission from the instructor and in accordance with university policy.
Course materials, recordings, slides, assignments, and solutions are for use by students enrolled in this course only. They may not be distributed, posted publicly, or reused without permission.
Acknowledgement of Course Policies
By remaining enrolled in this course, students are responsible for understanding and following the policies described in this syllabus and any additional instructions posted on Canvas. Course policies may be updated if necessary, with changes announced through Canvas.