Graph Theory, Math 279

Fall Semester, 2008

Instructor: Dr. Linda Valdés

Office: Room 417 MH, Ext. 45131
e-mail address: valdes@math.sjsu.edu
class website: http://www.math.sjsu.edu/~valdes
Office Hours: Tues, Thurs: 12:00-1:00, 2:45-3:45

Advanced course in graph theory covering graphs, digraphs, trees, networks, connectedness, eulerian circuits, hamiltonian cycles, graph embeddings, matchings, factorizations, graph colorings and Ramsey theory.

Textbook. Introduction to Graph Theory, by Douglas B.West, Prentice Hall.

Homework.   There will be ten assignments collected during the semester. Each of the assignments is worth 20 points.  The student is strongly encouraged to do as many other exercises from the text as possible and to do them in a timely manner.  The student is also advised to read and do the problems within a week of the corresponding lecture.

Exams. There will be 3 exams. Each exam will be worth 200 points.
The tentative dates of the first two exams are Thursday, October 2 and Thursday, November 6.
The third exam will take place on December 12 at 2:45 PM in MacQuarrie 233.

Project. A course project is required and will be worth 200 points. The student will provide  i) a lecture, or ii) a workshop. Other ideas for a project are welcome.
The project entails the reading and presentation of a concept in graph theory that is acquired through a primary source; that is, articles written by mathematicians found in graph theory or combinatorics journals (or in some texts). Articles are available in your instructor’s office.

As a lecturer you will give a lecture of at least 30 minutes.
The lecture will include a theorem with proof. It will also include several examples so as to aid the students in the class in understanding the material. The lecturer will provide the class with two homework exercises that he/she will collect and grade. The choice of the topic with bibliography will be provided to the professor by November 13. The lecturer will provide the professor with a copy of the article at least one week before the presentation. 

As a facilitator you will provide the class with worksheets that will entail working in small groups to learn the concepts being introduced. This should last a minimum of 45 minutes.
The worksheet will include at least one theorem that will be developed through exercises. The worksheets should include examples to aid the students in understanding the material. The facilitator will provide the class with two homework exercises that he/she will collect and grade. The choice of the topic with bibliography will be provided to the professor by November 13.  The facilitator will provide the professor with a copy of the article at least one week before the presentation.

The lectures and workshops will be given during the last weeks of class.

Grading of project.
1. Knowledge of subject
2. Presentation of material
3.
Relevant examples that aid the students’ understanding
4. Fair and relevant homework assignments
5.
Summarized and emphasized main points

 

Grading. The grade in the course will be determined as follows:

A

 900-1000 points

B

800-899 points

C

 700-799 points

D

600-699 points

F

0-599 points

 For information about accommodations for disabled students, learning objectives for Area B4 GE courses, and academic integrity responsibilities for SJSU students refer to the official Math Dept. greensheet online at "http://www.math.sjsu.edu/math/courses/mathgs.htm".