Welcome! Hi there. I am Anne Gloag and I will be your instructor for your Linear Algebra class.
Please take a few minutes to watch my video and learn a little about me. Then explore this page to familiarize yourself with the course and get information about our class.
You will find the link to log into our course at the bottom of this page.
Anne
This is a 3 unit course that begins on June 17 and ends August 9, 2024.
This course meets in person MW 8AM - 11:20AM and I expect students to attend class and participate. You will learn in a community with your peers and engage with other students and your instructor on a regular basis.
The time commitment for this class is around 15 - 20 hours per week (in class and out).
The class materials are found in Canvas and the material is organized in modules.
I recognize that this is an especially stressful time to be a student. Give yourself grace as you try your best. I will be flexible throughout this course to support you towards your academic success. I believe in you!
As a White college instructor, I have not had the same experiences as those of my racially and ethnically minoritized students. But I want you to know that I am committed to creating a learning environment where all students feel safe and are treated with dignity. I want you to know that I am committed to continually learn and growth and improve my teaching. I welcome your feedback at any time in this course. Your feedback empowers me to become a better teacher.
Textbook: A First Course in Linear Algebra, Kuttler. This book is available free online. Another good reference textbook is Elementary Linear Algebra by Larson, any edition.
Calculator: A scientific calculator or graphing calculator will be useful in this course. There are both kinds of calculators available in the classroom. Phones should not be used as calculators.
I love math! I love math because it is beautiful and it is complex and because it is challenging. I think that it is one of the most interesting and beautiful subjects out there.
I love teaching! I love teaching because I like getting to know how people think and I like to see how each person discovers how math works.
In my many years of teaching mathematics I have taught the basic subjects many, many times but they always feels fresh to me because there are a thousand different ways people think about and solve the same problems. Math is not about memorizing a bunch of formulas, it is not about solving problems quickly. It is about developing deep and complex thinking, about finding joy in looking for patterns and seeing how seemingly unconnected pieces fit together.
All people are different in their thinking, strengths and interests but I don't think there are people who are good at math and people who are bad at math. I have always believed that everyone can learn mathematics at a very deep level. My goal as a teacher is to help you discover the joy in mathematics and to help you see that math is a subject that you can master and enjoy.
I will provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to ensure you meet our course outcomes in a meaningful manner.
I will provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.
I will be actively present in your learning.
I will provide a supportive and safe environment for you to share and discuss ideas with your peers.
I will reach out to you when I sense that you need support.
I will treat you with dignity and respect and be flexible to support your individual needs.
I won't be perfect. I am human and will make mistakes at times. I will view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list? If so, you will have the opportunity to make a suggestion in our Orientation module.
You strive to be an active participant in this course and strive to meet due dates.
You will maintain an open line of communication with me so I understand how to support you.
You will contact me if you have a concern with meeting a due date.
You will strive to regularly contribute to collaborative activities to ensure other members of the community have ample opportunity to read/listen, reflect, and respond to your ideas.
You will treat your peers with dignity and respect.
You will do your best to have patience with technology. There will be hiccups, expect them. We will get through them together.
You will give yourself grace. Expect to make mistakes. You are human and you are stressed.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list? If so, you will have the opportunity to make a suggestion in our Orientation module.
Course Description: This course serves as an introduction to the theory and applications of elementary linear algebra, and is the basis for most upper division courses in mathematics. The topics covered in this course include matrix algebra, Gaussian Elimination, systems of equations, determinants, Euclidean and general vector spaces, linear transformations, orthogonality and inner product spaces, bases of vector spaces, the Change of Basis Theorem, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, the rank and nullity of matrices and introduction to linear transformations. This course is intended for the transfer student planning to major in mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, operational research, economics, or other sciences.
Prerequisite: MATH 151 with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent.
Transfer Applicability: Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU CSU General Education IGETC UC Transfer Course List
Upon completing this course successfully, you will be able to:
Solve dependent systems of linear equations using Gaussian elimination and state their solutions parametrically; solve independent systems using Gaussian eliminations or the inverse of the coefficient matrix; identify systems of linear equations which are inconsistent.
Solve applications involving several variables and several linear equations by solving the corresponding system of linear equations.
Compute the eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of a square matrix, and diagonalize the matrix if possible
You will also be able to perform the following tasks:
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Model with mathematics
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Attend to precision.
Look for and make use of structure.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Course Starts: 6/17/2024
Juneteenth: 6/19/2024 (no class)
Refund Deadline: 6/22/2024
Add/Drop Deadline: 6/25/2024
Pass/No Pass Deadline: 7/3/2024
Withdrawal Deadline: 7/19/2024
Course Ends: 8/9/2024
I design my course to ensure that all students can succeed. You've got this!
Believe in Yourself. I believe in you. You got this. Even if you think that math is the hardest thing in the world, if you believe that you can succeed, you will. Research has proven that an open mind lets learning in and makes it stick.
Show up. Showing up is one of the most important factors to your success. Show up in the course, show up to office hours, show up for study groups with your peers. Show up mentally as well as physically. Be ready to do the work and contribute to the community.
Do the work. Yes, there will be lots of work! You don't need to do every single assignment and earn every single point in the course but try to complete the majority of the assignments, even the difficult, confusing ones and don't fall behind.
Communicate. If you identify a challenge meeting a due date, contact me right away. I am willing to be flexible. Contacting me in advance of a due date will keep you and I in sync and ensure you don't get overwhelmed by unfinished work. In your message, propose an alternative due date (within 24 hours is advised to ensure you don't fall behind). Please don't consider that proposal approved, however, until you hear from me.
We are here for you!
I welcome your questions any time and I'm happy to help you think through your ideas so you can successfully complete an assignment. Sometimes just a five minute conversation is all you need. Struggle is a natural part of learning, but if you're feeling frustrated that means it is time to reach out for some assistance. You know how to reach me, right?
Office Hours: My office hours are 11:30AM - 1:00PM Mondays and Wednesday on-campus in M201 (the Math Lab), these are not required but I am here to help you with any questions you have.
Math Lab: Come for tutoring at Miramar College! We have drop-in tutoring. The Math Lab is open Monday - Thursday 11 AM - 3PM
Email: I prefer that you contact me through the Canvas inbox. But you can also reach me at agloag@sdccd.edu
Phone: (619) 602-5364 (text me first because I'm often in class or meetings)
If you contact me Monday-Friday, I will respond within 24 hours (usually much sooner). I do my best to reply on weekends but I'm human too and have been known to take breaks.
I'm happy to arrange times outside of office hours to meet in Zoom, in person or call you directly if that's preferred.
NetTutor: There are free live tutors 24 hours a day, every day. To access, go to our class in Canvas. Click on the tab NetTutor on the left-hand side. Scroll down to and click on Math. Then click - Drop in and Meet with a Live Tutor.