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MAT 2550 -- Intro to Linear Algebra -- Fall 2017

This syllabus is tentative and should not be considered definitive. The instructor reserves the right to modify it to meet the needs of the class. It is the student responsibility to attend class regularly and to make note of any changes. Be sure you check the class website for sections covered on the exams, homework problems and announcements.

Catalog Description

Credit Hours: 3; The study of linear algebra and its applications.

Prerequisites

MAT 1441 or permission of instructor.

Textbook
  • We will be using "Introduction to Linear Algebra with Applications" by Jim DeFranza and Daniel Gagliardi.
  • As reference, we will be using "Principles of Linear Algebra with Mathematica" by K. Shiskowski and K. Frinkle. Mathematica code can be found here.
Course Objectives
  • Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices
  • Linear Combinations and Linear Independence
  • Vector Spaces
  • Linear Transformations
  • Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
  • Inner Product Spaces
Exam Information

There will be a two exams and a final exam. The dates and sections covered will be posted here. Your instructor will grant make-up exams to students for properly verified absences due to illness, emergency, participation in an official University activity, or participation in volunteer emergency work.

Tentative Schedule

  • Week 1: Chapter 1
  • Week 2: Chapter 1
  • Week 3: Chapter 1
  • Week 4: Chapter 2; Exam 1
  • Week 5: Chapter 2
  • Week 6: Chapter 2
  • Week 7: Chapter 3
  • Week 8: Chapter 3
  • Week 9: Chapter 4
  • Week 10: Chapter 4; Exam 2
  • Week 11: Chapter 5
  • Week 12: Chapter 5
  • Week 13: Chapter 5
  • Week 14: Chapter 6
  • Week 15: Chapter 6

Homework and Quizzes

Homework, including Mathematica projects, will be assigned weekly and posted on this page. There will also be (pop) quizzes and in-class work which will count towards homework points. Weekly homework assignments will be accepted late, but points will be deducted, as long as the homework set has not been returned to the class. Homework, quiz, and exam scores can be found in D2L . Before attempting the homework problems, you are expected to read the sections carefully. You are strongly encouraged to discuss homework problems with your instructor, use the math tutoring service, and to work with your fellow classmates. However, you are expected to write up your own solutions.

Mathematica is installed in the computer labs Old Main 3041 and 3013, as well as on all the iMacs in the Media Lab Plus in the library .


Most odd problems have solutions in the book. You are encouraged to attempt all of them.
Section Problems Due Dates
HW 1 Attend a Math or CS event Fri 8 Dec
HW 2 Quality meeting with Prof for 1 hr Fri 8 Dec
HW 3 Ch 1.1: 10, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26;
Ch 1.2: 38, 40, 42, 44
Fri 1 Sep
Quiz 1 suggested (not collected) 1.2: 37-49 odd; 1.3: 1-11 Fri 8 Sep
Mathematica HW 1 Click here for notebook. Submit via D2L. Wed 13 Sep
HW 4 suggested: 1.3 #'s 25, 27, 34, 39, 44; 1.4 #'s 11, 19, 28, 33, 35, 37, 38, ; 1.5 #'s 22, 23, 29, 31
collected: 1.3 #'s 22, 24; 1.4 #'s 8, 10, 20, 26; 1.5 #'s 18, 20, 26, 28
Fri 15 Sep
Exam 1 Exam will cover sections 1.1 to 1.6. Review: textbook examples, hw problems, ch 1 review exercises and text pgs 89-92. Wed 20 Sep
Quiz 2 Review: 1.6 #17 - 25 odd; 2.1 17-27 odd Fri 29 Sep
Mathematica HW 2 Click here for notebook. Submit via D2L. Fri 6 Oct
HW 5 2.3 #'s 14, 20, 22, 23, 27; 3.1 #'s 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 Mon 9 Oct
Quiz suggested (not collected): 3.1 #'s 11-27 odd; 3.2 #'s 7-41 odd; 3.3 #'s 1-37 odd Fri 20 Oct
HW 6 4.1#'s: 10, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 28, 30; 4.2 #'s: 4, 12 Fri 27 Oct
Exam 2 sections: 2.1 - 2.3, 3.1 - 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 Fri 3 Nov
HW 7 4.3 #'s 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, 19, 22, 28; 4.5 #'s 18, 22
not collected: 4.3 #'s 29, 31, 37; 4.5 #'s 17, 29, 20, 21
Fri 10 Nov
Quiz 1-1, onto, isomorphism, eigenvalues, eigenvectors Fri 17 Nov
HW 8 5.2 #'s 14, 18, 24, 26, 32; 6.6 #'s 8, 12, 16, 18, 22
not collected: 5.2 #'s 27 - 31; 6.6 #'s 23 - 26
Mon 4 Dec

Course Grade

Your course grade will be determined using the following distributions:

    Exam 1 20%
    Exam 2 20%
    HW/Quizzes 30%
    Final Exam 30%
    Total 100%

You are guaranteed a grade of:

    Aif you earn at least 90%.
    Bif you earn at least 80%.
    Cif you earn at least 70%.
    Dif you earn at least 60%.
    Fotherwise
Attendance

Students are expected to attend class meetings as scheduled. When an absence does occur, the student is responsible for the material covered during the absence. When possible, the student should notify the instructor in advance of an anticipated absence.

Course and Instructor Evaluations

During the last few weeks of the semester, you will be provided an opportunity to evaluate this course and your instructor. Your feedback is vital to improving education at Eastern Illinois University. I strongly urge you to participate in the evaluation system.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Click here to view information regarding accommodations.

Academic Dishonesty

Eastern Illinois University faculty and students commit themselves towards maintaining a culture of academic integrity and honesty. Click here to view the Student Code of Conduct. Violations will be reported to the Office of Student Standards, which can result in a failing grade for the course.

Student Success Center

Students who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center. The center provides individualized consultations for assistance with time management, test taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination, setting goals, and other skills to support academic achievement.

Take Care of Yourself

Diminished mental health, including significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, or problems with eating and/or sleeping can interfere with optimal academic performance. The source of symptoms might be related to your course work; if so, please speak with me. However, problems with relationships, family worries, loss, or a personal struggle or crisis can also contribute to decreased academic performance. Know that help, if needed, is available.

EIU provides cost-free mental health services through the Counseling Center to help you manage personal challenges that threaten your personal or academic well-being. Visit them on the first floor of the Human Services Building, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm. You may also contact them at 217-581-3413. For after-hours emergencies, contact their emergency number at 217-549-6483.

If you are uncomfortable seeking on-campus services, LifeLinks in Mattoon offers mental health services. Although they charge fees for some services, they have a no-cost toll free Crisis Line (866-567-2400); when a caller phones the toll free number, they are immediately connected to a trained crisis clinician. There is no cost for this service, and it is available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day.

Remember, getting help is a smart and healthy thing to do - for yourself and for your loved ones.