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 (not in order!)
with additional sections as time permits. Reading for each class will be posted
on the course webpage.
In addition to the content goals, this course is meant to
provide opportunities to become acquainted
with the notions of abstraction and proof writing. It is the first
course in the mathematics curriculum, usually, in which these two
aspects of mathematics have a visible role.
Assessment: This course has several different forms
of assessment:
  |
Homework |
practicing the skills we are trying to develop |
  | Exams |
putting together the concepts we have been learning |
  | Class Engagement | engaging
in our on-going conversation, including announced
quizzes and project |
Homework: 15% Homework is an integral part of the course. Some warm up problems will
be assigned and due for the next class period (5%). The honest attempt of these problems is
what is expected of you, and questions encountered in doing this work will inform our
on-going class discussion. Some turn in problems (10%)
will be assigned daily and collected weekly, due Wednesdays at the
beginning of class.
Selected problems will be graded on a scale of 0 to 2. To receive
full credit on a problem, the solution must be provided in a
well-organized,
readable form, and in complete detail; answers alone are not
sufficient. You are permitted, and in fact encouraged, to work together
on homework. Working together, however, does not include writing up solutions together or
copying solutions.
Grace Days:
To allow for illness and excused absences, everyone will be allowed two
grace days
for turn in
homework
assignments for the quarter. This means that you will be
allowed to
turn in to me a single (ie, weekly) assignment up to two days late, or two
(weekly) assignments each up to
one day late.
Weekends do not count towards the two days, but non-class weekdays do
count.
After you have
used your allotment of grace days, late assignments will not be
graded.
Exams: 60% total
There will be two exams during the course of the term
and a comprehensive final exam, each contributing 20% to the final grade.
The first exam will
occur Wednesday of Week 4, and the second on Wednesday of Week 8.
The final exam, as scheduled by the Registrar, will be Sunday,
November 24, 3:30-6 pm.
Take note that while exams
are meant to indicate how well you have mastered the material,
mastery of a subject requires more than being able to solve problems as they appear in standard homework sets. This means that while you can expect that many test
questions will be similar to homework questions, you'll need to first recognize that similarity. In order to ace an exam, you shouldn't be
surprised to need to demonstrate knowledge of the theory beyond
what most homework questions require, for example, by incorporating more than one concept or calculation in a single problem,
Class Engagement 25% Total
There will be a short quiz most Fridays throughout the term. Make up quizzes
will only be given for excused absences - that means a special
school-sponsored
activity. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. (10% of class
engagement grade.)
Class engagement includes being in class, asking questions in class, answering questions
in class, being attentive in class etc AND leaving your cell phone out of
sight and out of hearing. It also includes being prepared for class by doing the reading ahead of class time.(5% of class engagement grade.)
Late in the quarter, there will be a project on some application
of linear algebra. Done in small groups, this will culminate in a
short paper and a class presentation, both of which will be done as a group
and due sometime
in the last two
weeks of the quarter. (10% of class engagement grade.)
A Few Notes: Attendance in class is strongly encouraged.
Our class time should be a time for active learning: having read a
portion of the text and worked on a few warm up problems, class is a
time to ask questions and to clarify concepts as well as to conjecture
and together develop a cohesive view of the material. That's a lot! Of course,
not every day will see every piece of this, but we will strive to make
our time together more active learning than passive learning.
The dates for exams are given above; you are expected to be present in
class for them. Note that the final exam is
scheduled by the Registrar not the instructor. All travel arrangements
for the end of the quarter should be made accordingly.
As a student at Kalamazoo College, you have pledged to uphold the
Honor Code. This includes reporting to me any dishonorable behavior you
witness involving this class, as well as not engaging in such
behavior yourself. As faculty at Kalamazoo College, it is my responsibility
to be diligent about limiting opportunities for dishonest behavior. This will
include limiting movement during exams. Any assignment found to have been submitted in violation of the honor code will receive an automatic F.
A Few More 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! Also,
visit the Math/Physics Center! Located in OU 205, this evening drop-in
center is staffed with people who love to talk about math and can
also provide a great place to meet up with classmates. There's always
candy! The MPC operates Sun-Thurs, 8-11pm.