Math 4326 Linear Algebra
Spring 2016 Syllabus
- Instructor: Bruce Peckham, Professor, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics
- Office: 140C Campus Center, 726-6188, bpeckham@d.umn.edu
Office Hours: M 3-4, W 12-1, Th 2-3, F 11-12, or by appointment
- Meeting times: MWF 2-2:50 in EduE 40
EXCEPTION:
Tests will be given at 5-6:30pm to allow for more time. The test will replace a regularly scheduled class.
- Text:
- Linear Algebra by
David Lay, Steven Lay, and Judy McDonald, 5th edition 2016. (The 4th edition, by David Lay, is acceptable, but you will need to double check to make sure you do the exercises assigned from the 5th edition.)
- Optional supplemental material: Study guide that accompanies the text.
Course Description
Linear Algebra is one of the most important topics in all of mathematics.
It is used in almost all areas of math, science, and engineering.
Topics vary from the basics of solving systems of equations to the abstract ideas of linear transformations and their coordinate representations as a matrix.
Part of the course is computational (solving equations, computing the inverse of a matrix, computing a basis for a vector space, ... ).
Other parts are conceptual (understanding the abstract concepts of vector space, linear independence, span, basis, ... . You will be expected not only to learn algorithms, but also to learn why the algorithms work.
For certain problems, you will be expected to write formal proofs.
Connections between algebra (the language of computation and proof) and geometry (the intuition behind the formalities) will be especially emphasized.
The material is mostly covered in Chapters 1-7 of the
text. Not all sections of all chapters will be covered.
Some supplemental material, not included in the text, will occasionally
be presented in lecture.
Course Prerequisites
Differential Equations with Linear Algebra (Math 3280) and Discrete Mathematics (Math 3355) or equivalent or
permission of the instructor.
Grading (Topics are subject to change)
| Test 1 |
Thurs, Feb 11 5-6:30 |
Ch 1,2,3 |
15% |
| Test 2 |
Tues March 22 5-6:30 |
Chs 4,5 |
20% |
| Test 3 |
Th April 21 5-6:30 |
Chs 6,7 |
20% |
| HW/Quizzes |
Throughout the semester |
Announced by instructor |
20% |
| Final Exam |
Friday May 6 at 2pm |
Cumulative |
25% |
| Total |
|
|
100% |
General policy statement
Lectures, material in the text, homework sets, and tests are
all intended to complement each other. No one is a replacement for any of the
others. You are, in general, expected to learn material which is covered via
any of these sources.
Homework Sets and Ground Rules
Homework will be due weekly.
All work should be neatly written,
well-organized, and complete.
For regular homework sets, you are encouraged to exchange
ideas with each other, but each person should write up his/her
solutions completely
in his/her own words.
It is never appropriate to give a written version of a
problem/proof to another classmate, except to have the classmate read and
evaluate your work with you present.
It is OK to verbally explain your ideas to another classmate, as long as the
classmate then writes up his/her work on his/her own.
One person copying a classmate's solution(s) is expressly forbidden
and will result in both students receiving zeroes for that complete
homework set and facing academic disciplinary action.
Copying from textbooks or online resources is also expressly forbidden
and will result in zero for that assignment.
ANY WORK YOU HAND IN THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY YOUR OWN SHOULD BE PROPERLY
REFERENCED.
THIS INCLUDES COLLABORATION WITH OTHER STUDENTS AND MATERIAL TAKEN FROM OTHER
TEXTBOOKS OR ONLINE RESOURCES. You need not reference material taken from
the textbook.
It is often instructive to read the problems at the end of
each section and think about how you would solve them, even if you don't actually
attempt to solve them.
Late homework will be accepted, but unless you make specific prior arrangements with me, points will be taken off. Deduction schedule: 10% off per day late.
Weekends count as one day. (For example, one week late will be 50% off.) Work
more than one week late will count 50%. Grace days: the first 5 days late - either for one homework, or split between multiple homeworks.
Assignments will be posted on the course homepage
at
http://www.d.umn.edu/~bpeckham/4326/S2016/Math4326S2016.html
Computational expectations. Use of software such as Mathematica is encouraged, but not required.
Any time software is used, it should be fully documented.
No computer programming will be required.
Writing your own programs to do your own investigations, or to check hand calculations, is encouraged.
Missed Exams or Quizzes
Missed quizzes or exams will
be assigned a zero score unless you provide a valid written, signed
(by a Doctor, for example) excuse for
your absence; unless it is not possible to do so, you must provide verbal
notice ahead of time to your
instructor for an absence. Arrangements
for a makeup should be made as soon as you know you will miss.
Do not wait for the next
class. You can leave the instructor
a message 24 hours a day by phone or email.
Oversleeping,
poor preparation, slight colds, and cold weather are not valid excuses.
Disabilities
Please inform me of any disabilities of
which I should be aware
in order to provide for equitable participation.
This page is maintained by
Bruce Peckham (bpeckham@d.umn.edu)
and was last modified on
Monday, 04-Apr-2016 15:54:55 CDT.