Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - MATH 301 E100

Mathematical Journeys I (3)

Basic Set Theory

Class Number: 6115

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 5, 2025
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Razvan Fetecau
    van@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-3335

  • Prerequisites:

    MATH 152 or 155 or 158, and MATH 232 or 240, all with a minimum grade of C-. There may be additional prerequisites depending on the specific course topic.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A focused exploration of a special topic (varying from term to term) that builds on mathematical ideas from lower division courses and provides further challenges in quantitative and deductive reasoning. Each Journeys course is designed to appeal particularly to mathematics minor students and others with a broad interest in mathematics. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:

Set theory is very simply the study of collections of objects; it is also the usual axiomatic foundation for all of mathematics.  However, far from being dull and austere, set theory is full of oddities.

We will introduce basic set theory; discuss Russell's paradox, the cardinalities of natural and real numbers, along with the statement of the continuum hypothesis. We will get to present the thought-provoking Cantor’s transfinite numbers and how they changed the understanding of infinite sets and of the concept of ``infinity” in general.

No background in set theory or logic is expected.

Grading

  • Assignments 25%
  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Final Exam 50%

NOTES:

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS:

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Set Theory and Metric Spaces
Irving Kaplansky
2E, 2001
AMS Chelsea Publishing Series
ISBN: 9780821826942

RECOMMENDED READING:

Naive Set Theory
Paul Halmos
Reprint of the original 1974 edition
Springer
ISBN: 9780387901046

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.