| Office: OU 203B Phone: (269) 337-7107 | e-mail: intermon@kzoo.edu |
| Class Webpage (people.kzoo.edu/~intermon/mat240.htm) | |
| Homework Website (https:webwork.kzoo.edu/webwork2) | |
| Mathematize Website (https://mathmatize.com/c/722) |
Text:
Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction by David Poole 4th edition
Goals and Content:
Linear Algebra is concerned with solving systems of linear equations.
We will begin by working with vector spaces of real numbers, and will
move into working with abstract vector spaces as the course progresses.
The language of matrices will encode our work for much of the time.
Practically speaking, we will study much of Chapters 1-4 and Chapter 6 of the text (maybe not in order!)
with additional sections as time permits.
Most courses have meta-goals as well, and this course is no exception. We will strive to improve our abilities to understand ideas from different (mathematical) points of view and to communicate our ideas to others.
Assessment: This course has several different forms
of assessment:
Homework: 20%
Homework will come in two flavors in this course. Before each class, you will be asked to do homework (WebWork, 10%). This will be based on the assigned videos and reading for that day. While you are not expected to have mastered the content before class, you are expected to attempt all the problems each day and, with the feedback provided by the system, attain an average of over 80%.
On a weekly basis, you will be asked to attain a certain number of "stars" in Mathematize (also 10%).
Class Engagement: 5% You are expected to be in class and participating in our on-going conversation.
Feedback Quizzes: 5% Most Fridays throughout the term there will be a short feedback quiz.
Exams: 25% each
There will be one midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam. The midterm is expected to be on Wednesday of Week 5. All travel arrangements for the end of the term should be made for AFTER the time scheduled by the Registrar for our final exam: Monday, June 5, 8:30am-11am.
Problems and Projects: 20%
Each week students will be responsible for writing up some assigned problems from our text. While there will not be many problems, the write ups of the problems will be as important as the answers; that is, the write ups should aim to be written in full sentences and to have enough detail that they could be used as examples in a textbook. There will also be approximately 3 projects on applications of linear algebra. This work will be done in small groups.
As a student at Kalamazoo College, you have pledged to uphold the
Honor Code. This includes reporting to me any dishonorable behavior you know about involving this class, as well as not engaging in such
behavior yourself. Any assignment found to have been submitted in violation of the honor code will receive an automatic F.
Workflow:
Generally, the assignments for each week will be available by Saturday morning and posted on our class webpage. Before most classes you will be expected to read in the textbook, watch a short video and do some exercises in WebWork. On Mondays, the week's write up problems will be due, and the Mathematize stars must be attained. (These assignments will be based on the M,W,F content from the previous week.) On most Fridays we will have a quiz in class.
A Few Notes:
Get engaged in our work! Many things look easier when you watch
someone else do them, but to develop skills for ourselves, most of
us need to practice. This includes math!
Abelian Grape Blogspot by Erica Dominic K'13
Homework
practicing the skills we are trying to develop Class Engagement engaging
in our on-going conversation Feedback Quizzes regular
opportunities for some quick feedback Exams
putting together the concepts we have been learning
Problems and Projects
applying and communicating the concepts we have been learning
Visit the Math/Physics Center! I expect you'll be getting an email about the particulars of the Center's operations this term....