Course Prerequisites: This course has for
prerequisite Math 171.
Textbook : Linear Algebra : A Modern Introduction,
second edition, by David Poole, Thomson Brooks/Cole 2006
Course Goals: After successful completion of this
course, you will be able to:
• identify and work with the various forms in which linear systems appear
• manipulate matrices and solve matrix equations
• infer information about linear systems from knowledge of the rank,
characteristic polynomial , or determinant of the associated matrix
• identify and solve some “ real -life problems” using linear algebra methods
Course Content: We will cover most of chapters 1
through 6 in the textbook and some from chapter 7, as time permits. The main
topics covered are:
Vectors
Systems of Linear Equations
Matrices
Eigen values and Eigenvectors
Orthogonality
Vector Spaces
Homework Assignments: Daily reading and writing
as signments will be given. You are expected to complete all assignments when due
and to come to class prepared to answer and ask questions. Some assignments (you
will know in advance which ones) will be collected and graded. For ungraded
written homework assignments, you are encouraged to work with other students,
but all work to be handed in for grading must be d one individually . The Academic
Honesty Policy guidelines for Mathematics courses , which are copied at the end
of this document, are to be followed.
Graded assignments must be turned in by 4 p.m. on the date
due to be graded without penalty. No assignment will be accepted after graded
papers have been returned to the students.
Computer program: Some class time will be devoted
to computer activities that use the computer program Maple to carry out many of
the computational processes of linear algebra. Most of these activities will be
started in class and completed as homework
Attendance to Mathematics Colloquia and/or other
mathematical events: The Mathematics and Computer Science sponsors a
Mathematics Colloquium approximately once a month. These are mathematical
lectures on different subjects given by professors from Moravian or from other
colleges. The schedule for the spring semester is not finalized yet. Details
will be announced in class, as soon as they become available. You are required
to attend at least two of the colloquia and write a one- page summary /reaction
for each one attended. Many of these talks may use or mention a topic of linear
algebra. In your short paper, you should explicitly mention any connection you
found or may make between the material in the talk and the topics in this
course. You are, of course, encouraged to attend every Mathematics Colloquium.
As an alternative to attendance to one colloquium talk,
you may attend and write about two “Epsilon Talks”, sponsored by the student
organizations MC Mathematical Society and Pi Mu Epsilon-Omicron Chapter. (Note
that attendance to one colloquium talk can be substituted by attendance to two
Epsilon Talks.)
In addition , you are encouraged to attend the Annual
Moravian College Student Conference on Saturday, February 16. You may use this
event to satisfy the requirement of attendance to colloquia. (The invited
speaker lecture counts as one colloquium lecture, and each student talk as one
“epsilon talk”.)
Examinations and Group Project: There will be three
in class exams, one group project and one cumulative final examination. The
group project will consist of a written part and an oral presentation. The
written part of the group project will be due on April 7. Details on the group
project will be given in class at least three weeks before it is due. The dates
of the in-class exams are:
Monday, February 11 Monday, March 17 Wednesday, April
16
Grading:
Course grade will be based on a total of 700 points as follows.
Graded homework: 100 points
Class participation (including board presentations): 45 points
Group project 100 pts
In-class exams 300 points (100 points each)
Attendance to Math Colloquia (and fol low up short paper): 25 points
Final exam 130 points
Attendance: Class attendance is required. Students
are responsible for all work covered in class and all assignments, even if
absent from class. If a student must miss more than one class due to illness or
emergency, the instructor should be notified. In-class exams must be
taken at the announced time; make-up exams will be given only in case of extreme
emergency or serious illness.
Help: Students are encouraged to see Dr. Sevilla
during office hours or to arrange an appointment for extra help when needed.
Note: This syllabus is a guideline for the course.
It may be necessary to make changes during the semester. I will announce any
changes in class.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY GUIDELINES
MATHEMATICS COURSES
The Mathematics and Computer Science Department supports
and is governed by the Academic Honesty Policy of Moravian College as stated in
the Moravian College Student Handbook. The following statements will help
clarify the policies of members of the Mathematics faculty.
In all homework assignments that are to be graded, you may
use your class notes and any books or library sources. When you use the ideas or
thoughts of others, however, you must acknowledge the source. For graded
homework assignments, you may not use a solution manual or the help, orally or
in written form, of an individual other than your instructor. If you receive
help from anyone other than your instructor or if you fail to reference your
sources you will be violating the Academic Honesty Policy of Moravian College.
For homework that is not to be graded, if you choose, you may work with your
fellow students. You are responsible for understanding and being able to explain
the solutions of all assigned problems, both graded and ungraded.
All in-class or take-home tests and quizzes are to be
completed by you alone without the aid of books, study sheets, or formula sheets
unless specifically allowed by you instructor for a particular test.
