Math 2550 Syllabus

This is an introductory course to Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory. 

Day/Time/Classroom:  

Section 4: TuTh 3:05-4:20PM in SH 139.  

Section 2: TuTh 12:15-1:30PM in SH 258.

Topical outline: Systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvectors and eigenvalues, canonical forms.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete Math 2550 will: 

1. know the basic definitions and properties of matrices.

2. know methods of solving systems of linear equation.

3. know properties of vector subspaces of Euclidean spaces.

4. know basic properties of determinants.

5. know linearly independence, span and bases of subspaces of Euclidean spaces.

6. know the basic propertied and theorems of linear transformations.

7. be able to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors of linear transformations.

8. be able to perform change of bases of vector spaces.

9. be able to diagonalize matrix transformations and (time permitting) find other canonical forms.

Textbook: "Elementary Linear Algebra, a Matrix Approach" by Spence/Insel/Friedberg, Prentice Hall.  A free electronic copy of this textbook can be found at: http://library.lol/main/D6B9AD0238E9463BF5BCB71D5AFE282F

Course requirements: There will be homework, weekly quizzes, a midterm exam, a final exam, and a Notebook for recording class notes

The course grade is determined as follows:

Notebook: 5%

Quizzes: 20%                        Score = 0.05N+0.2Q + 0.3M + 0.45F            

Midterm Exam: 30%

Final Exam: 45%                             

Score                Grade

90 - 100 A

80 - 89 B

60 - 79 C

50 - 59 D

0 - 49   F

Plus/minus cutoffs will be determined after the scores are calculated and curved at the end of the semester on individual student basis. In particular if a student's score is on a border line and the student's performance improves over time, then the final grade will be above the border line (and vice versa).  In particular the grade on the final exam may influence the +/- cutoffs for individual students.

Notebook: For taking class notes and recording solutions of homework problems.  All the topics covered in the course will be presented in class meetings. Although at times the textbook will be followed closely, it should be considered more as a reference book.  Not all topics in the textbook will be covered, while additional topics will be covered in the lectures. This necessitates all lectures to be recorded in a class Notebook which will function as the official class textbook.  The notebook should have at least 100 pages.  It will be divided in two parts, one for class notes and the other for homework. The notebook format will be discussed in detail on the first class meeting.

Homework: There will be homework assigned on every topic covered in class.  Doing the homework is the most important factor for learning the course material.  Therefore, students are strongly advised to attempt all the homework in order to be well prepared for the exams.  You are required to write the solutions of at lease five homework exercises in the second part of your notebook.  Although students are allowed to discuss the homework problems with others, copying and submitting homework solution in your notebook that someone else wrote, is meaningless and it is not permited.  To submit homework in your notebook, hand write it clearly using pencil (no ink pen!) with your name and homework number on the first line of the first page.

Quizzes: There will be a ten-minute quiz each week on one the two meeting days at the beginning of class. Each quiz will be on topics in the lectures covered after the previous quiz.  

There will no makeup exams or quizzes.

Office hours:

In room ST F311: MW 6:00-6:30PM, TuTh 11:30-12:00Noon.

You are strongly encouraged to ask questions and actively participate during the lectures and durring office hours.

I wish you all a successful and productive semester!