MATH 2853 Elementary Linear Algebra

Spring Semester 2003

 

Instructor:

 

          Michele L. Joyner

                Mathematics Department

Office: Boyd 309

Phone: 770-836-3506

E-mail: mjoyner@westga.edu

Office hours: Mon., Wed. 11-12, 2-3; Thurs., Fri. 11-12; and by appointment

 

Course Description:

 

This course will provide an applied approach to matrix theory and linear algebra covering such topics as linear systems, Gauss-Jordan elimination, matrix inversion, matrix determinants, vectors in Rn, real vector spaces, eigenvalues, eigenvectors and diagonalization.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

¨       The student will be to express linear systems of equations in matrix form. (L3)

¨       The student will be able to solve systems of linear equations using Gauss-Jordan elimination. (L3)

¨       The student will be able to perform basic matrix operations and compute matrix inverses and determinants. (L3)

¨       The student will be introduced to vectors in Rn and will be able to compute the dot product, length, inner product and norm of vectors. (L3)

¨       The student will be introduced to the basic properties of real vector spaces and subspaces including properties such as linear independence, span, basis, rank, etc. (L3)

¨       The student will examine linear transformations. (L3)

¨       The student will be able to compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a square matrix. (L3)

¨       The student will be able to use a software package such as Maple to perform basic matrix operations. (L8)

 

Textbook:

                                               

Kolman / Hill, Introductory Linear Algebra With Applications, Seventh Edition, Prentice Hall, 2001.

 

Prerequisites:

 

                CS 1301; Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 2644

 

Requirements and Grading:

 

¨       Exams: There will be four 50-minute tests worth 100 points each. Below are the tentative test dates:

Test 1: Friday, January 31

Test 2: Friday, February 21

Test 3: Monday, March 31

Test 4: Wednesday, April 16

No test grades will be dropped; however, a student may replace their lowest test grade with their final exam grade if their final exam grade is higher.

 

¨       Final Exam: There will be one comprehensive final exam worth 200 points:

Friday, May 2, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

¨       Computer Assignments: There will be approximately 5-7 computer assignments which will require the use of the mathematical software package Maple to solve problems similar to those seen in class. These assignments are to be turned in for a grade. The scores on these assignments will be averaged, converted to a 100 point basis and counted as a fifth test.

 

 

 

 

¨       Homework: This is an important part of the course. There will be no homework assignments to be handed in. However, at the end of most classes you will be given a list of problems – these are the minimum that you should work. Some of these problems will be gone over in the next class session. Practice is important. You should make sure to set aside some time every class day to work problems.

¨       Grading: My grading scale is straightforward. The total percentage for the tests, computer assignments and final exam are given below.

Tests: 60% total (15% each)

Computer Assignments: 15% total

Final Exam: 25% total

The final letter grade will be determined by the following scale:

A(excellent) = 90-100%      

B(good) = 80-89%               

C(adequate) = 70-79%           

D(poor) = 60-69%   

F(dismal) = 59% and below 

 

Make-ups:

 

No late computer assignments will be accepted. They are due on the date given at the beginning of the class period. Except in extreme circumstances, any missed exam must be made up within one week of the day the exam was given. There must be a reasonable excuse for missing the exam and the excuse must be in writing.

 

Attendance Policy:

 

Students are expected to attend every class. Although excessive absences are not penalized, students who attend regularly will be rewarded. For students who have 0 absences, the student will have a total of 2 points added to their final grade. Any absence, excused or not, will count as an absence except for absences due to travel affiliated with the university. For those students who miss 1 class, the student will receive a total of 5 points added to their lowest test grade. For those students who only miss 2 classes, the student will receive 3 points added to their lowest test grade. If a student misses 3 classes or more, no rewards will be given. If a class is missed, the student is responsible for all material and assignments.

 

Disabilities: 

 

Students with documented disabilities (through West Georgia’s Disability Services) will be given

all reasonable accommodations.  Students must take the responsibility to make their disability

known and request academic adjustments or auxiliary aids.  Adjustments needed in relation to test-

taking must be brought to the instructor's attention well in advance of the test (at least one week

prior). 

Academic honesty:

 

                Students are expected to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and

                excellence as described in the Undergraduate Catalog and Uncatalog. In short, be responsible and

                do your own work. Instances of academic dishonesty will be handled accordingly.

 

Other Important Dates:

 

            Last day to withdrawal with grade of W is February 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed Course Schedule:

 

Date                                        Sections                                                                Date                                        Sections

(M)         January 6                                1.1                                                           (M)         March 10                                5.2

(W)               January 8                                1.1, 1.2                                                    (W)          March 12                                6.1

(F)                 January 10              1.2, 1.3                                                    (F)           March 14                                no classes

 

(M)              January 13              Maple lab                                                (M)         March 17                                Spring Break

(W)               January 15              1.3, 1.4                                                    (W)          March 19                                Spring Break

(F)                 January 17              1.4, 1.5                                                    (F)           March 21                                Spring Break

 

(M)              January 20              MLK holiday – no classes                      (M)         March 24                                6.1, 6.2

(W)               January 22              1.5                                                           (W)          March 26                                6.2

(F)                 January 24              1.5                                                           (F)           March 28                                Review

 

(M)              January 27              2.2                                                           (M)         March 31                                Test #3

(W)               January 29              Review                                                    (W)          April 2                    6.3

(F)                 January 31              Test #1                                                    (F)           April 4                    6.4

 

(M)              February 3              1.6                                                           (M)         April 7                    6.4

(W)               February 5              1.6                                                           (W)          April 9                    6.5

(F)                 February 7              2.4                                                           (F)           April 11                  6.6

 

(M)              February 10            3.1                                                           (M)         April 14                  Review

(W)               February 12            no classes                                                (W)          April 16                  Test #4

(F)                 February 14            3.2                                                           (F)           April 18                  8.1

 

(M)              February 17            3.2                                                           (M)         April 21                  8.1

(W)               February 19            Review                                                    (W)          April 23                  8.2

(F)                 February 21            Test #2                                                    (F)           April 25                  8.2

 

(M)              February 24            4.1                                                           (M)         April 28                  Review   

(W)               February 26            4.1                                                           (W)          April 30                 

(F)                 February 28            4.2                                                           (F)           May 2                     Final Exam (8 -10)

 

(M)              March 3                  4.2

(W)               March 5                  4.3

(F)           March 7                  5.1