Matrix Methods

(15-Math-276)

Department of

Mathematical

Sciences

This page is a work in progress! All information is subject to change (Last revised 17 September 2010)

Instructor Prof David A Herron
810D Old Chem Bldg, 556-4075 		My Office Hours
Mon, Wed 1:00-2:00 and by appt		 E-mail me at David's e-address
My web page is at David's w-address

Textbook MATRIX METHODS:Applied Linear Algebra by Bronson and Costa, third edition

General Syllabus Chapters 1,2,3,5,6 and selected sections in Chapters 7,8,10.

Calculus III (Math 253) is a prerequisite for this course. There are no co-requisites.

Daily class attendance and participation is expected. Your final Course Grade will be based on a comprehensive final exam, two in class hour exams, eight weekly quizzes, and classroom activities. Here is the precise breakdown: In order to receive audit credit for this course, you must attend all lectures and take all quizzes and exams.

The last day to withdraw from this class is Thursday 18 November. This is an official UC policy and something I cannot change. If you withdraw from this course, I will be required to verify whether or not you minimally participated in the class. Although I will try my best to respond accurately, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, I will state that you did not minimally participate. Ways for you to provide clear evidence of your presence in the class include taking at least one quiz or taking one exam.

The Final Exam is scheduled for Monday 6 December at 1:30-3:30. The in-class hour exams are (tentatively) scheduled for the following Mondays: 18 October & 15 November. In addition, there will be eight quizzes, (tentatively) scheduled for each Monday (except the days there is an exam:-). Your lowest two quiz scores will be dropped. Classroom activities include attendance and participation.

There will be NO make-up quizzes or exams; if you have a valid reason for missing one of these, please contact me before the quiz or exam.

Calculators and other electronic devices will not be allowed on any exam or quiz.

Course Goals In this course you will learn basic matrix arithmetic. We start with the Gaussian elimination method of solving systems of linear equations. We'll use this theory to help us understand such things as the Rank-Nullity Theorem. We'll briefly touch on the theory of determinants, which in turn we will use to study eigenvalues and eigenvectors. If time permits we will then look at the diagonalization problem, the QR-Algorithm, and systems of linear differential equations.

Homework will be assigned daily, but not collected. I encourage you to talk to other members of the class or to ask me or the TA for help.

If you are seeking help, there are Graduate Student Teaching Assistants on duty at the Mathematics Learning Center located in 614 Old Chemistry. Check their web page for their hours. You can also see me directly after class, during my office hours, or by making an appointment. In addition it is possible to hire a private tutor; the main office has a list available and I will happily help you find someone. Perhaps the best way to get help is to ask your fellow classmates!

It is a excellent idea to go over your notes as soon as possible after class. You may want to get two notebooks for this course: use one to write down class notes and problems which I work in class; do your homework problems in the other notebook. I think you will find it easier to study for exams if your class notes are not cluttered with your homework problems.

Academic Integrity Policy
The University Rules, including the Student Code of Conduct, and other documented policies of the department, college, and university related to academic integrity will be enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating, will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct.

Special Needs Policy
If you have any special needs related to your participation in this course, including identified visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, communication disorder, and/or specific learning disability that may influence your performance in this course, you should meet with the instructor to arrange for reasonable provisions to ensure an equitable opportunity to meet all the requirements of this course. At the discretion of the instructor, some accommodations may require prior approval by Disability Services.

Except for a few courses (132, 133, 134, 139, 173, 174, 178), all mathematics classes satisfy the University Quantitative Reasoning Requirements. This course satisfies the QRR of UC's General Education program.

Please note that credits earned from this course cannot be applied towards either a mathematics major or a mathematics minor.