Introduction to Linear Algebra

READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY! IT CONTAINS ANSWERS TO MANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND HAS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXPECTATIONS OF THIS COURSE.
Introduction to Linear Algebra , Math 230, 3 Credits Spring 2007

Description: This course covers the application of matrices, determinants, linear transformations, and vector spaces.

Pre-requisite: MATH 170 or MATH 160 with a grade of "C" or better or permission of the instructor.

Required Textbooks and Supplies: Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 3^rd Edition by David C. Lay, 2003; OR Linear
Algebra and Its Applications, 3^rd Edition Update by David C. Lay, 2006.

Course Objectives: The goal of the course is to help students use and understand matrices. I expect that every student
who successfully completes this class will be able to: setup and solve a system of linear equations; apply row operations
to put a matrix in echelon or reduced echelon form; multiply matrices (including partitioned matrices); describe matrix
multiplication in terms of linear combinations of rows or columns; understand the properties of vector spaces and identify
vector spaces and subspaces and their dimension; find the rank of a matrix; define and understand the significance of
row , null, left null, and column spaces of a matrix; check a set of vectors for linear independence; find the matrix of a
linear transformation; orthogonalize a set of independent vectors; find and/or use a basis of a vector space; compute
determinants; compute the inverse of a matrix using row operations or determinants ; know the characterizations of
inverse matrices; compute the LU and QR decompositions of a matrix; apply Cramer' s Rule ; compute eigenvalues and
eigenvectors of a matrix and diagonalize a matrix; solve difference equations; find least squares solutions and fit trend
lines; prove or find counterexamples to statements about linear algebra, particularly problems where the proof is found by
direct calculation.

Outcomes Assessment: Students will have achieved the course objectives if they understand and can apply the material
listed in the course objectives section above, as measured by homework, exams, and the final. As part of departmental
analysis of outcomes in this course and its place in the Mathematics program, student completion of the pre-requisite,
success in the current course, success in subsequent courses and student satisfaction will be reviewed by the instructor.
A report containing this information will be submitted by department faculty to determine what, if any, changes can be
made to improve the course in terms of content, focus, and instruction.

Library Use: The Library is an excellent place to find further information about topics in mathematics. The computers in
the library are available for your use in finding information from the card catalog and the internet as well as sending email.
Student Email Account Every registered student has a web-based student email account that the college uses as its
primary source of written communication with you. To access it, go to  Your username is the first
two letters of your first name, your middle initial, the first two letters of your last name, two digits for your birth month and
two digits for your birth day (no spaces anywhere; if you do not have a middle initial or did not use it when registering at
the Records Office, you need to use an x instead) Your password is your full Social Security Number as given to CSI, no
spaces or dashes.

Example: John Doe who was born May 7^th with social security number 555-00-1111
username: joxdo0507 password: 555001111 John Doe's CSI e-mail address:
You can access this account anywhere that you can find access to the web: home, public library, computer lab, etc.

Policies and Procedures:

a. Attendance is important for your success in this class. If missing class is unavoidable, please make arrangements with
a classmate to get notes and the assignment. The class meets from 12:00-12:50 on Tuesdays and 12:00-1:40 on
Thursdays of each week.

b. Homework assignments will be emailed to students after class. In order to know what the assignments are and stay
connected with the class, it is very important that you check you student email account (or set your student email
account to forward to your preferred email account (instructions for forwarding e-mail messages are available online at:
. You can also check assignments by logging in to (same login and password as the student email account), click on the "My Blackboard" tab, click
on our course, and click "assignments". Late homework will only be accepted if I haven't yet graded the on time
homework. Sometimes I will give a pop quiz instead of collecting the homework. From time to time, circumstances may
force a student to miss class. I recognize this and will drop your three lowest homework /quiz scores. Homework that is not
neatly written on loose-leaf paper (without spiral edges) will receive a grade of zero . Please staple. If you do complete a
homework assignment late and would like to know the answers, come see me during office hours. If you are going to miss
class because of required attendance at a verified school activity, you should turn in your completed assignment ahead of
time and check your email before the next class to obtain the assignment that will be due upon your return to class.

c. 3 regular exams and 1 comprehensive final will be given during the semester. There will be NO makeup exams
given. If your lowest exam score is lower than the final (for example, if you miss an exam) I will replace your lowest exam
score with the final. Although I plan to give tests in the Campus Testing Center (GRM 230), I reserve the right to give tests
in class. The Campus Testing Center hours are Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 am - 9:30 pm. You cannot start a test after 8:30 pm.
On Friday, the hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. You cannot start a test after 4:00 pm. Photo ID is required every time. The
testing center does not make exceptions!s

d. Grades will be calculated as follows: the homework/pop-quiz average (after dropping the three lowest scores) will be
1/5 of your grade. Each of the first three tests will be 1/5 of your grade. The final will make up the remaining 1/5 of your
grade. 90 - 100 is an 'A', 80 - 89 is a 'B', 70 - 79 is a 'C', 60 - 69 is a 'D', and below 60 is an 'F'

e. Please read the behavioral policies starting on page 16 of the current CSI Catalog. Any violation of the policies will be
dealt with severely, including but not limited to, being dismissed from the class and/or given a grade of "F" for the course.

f. Cell Phones that ring or cause other disruptions will not be tolerated. If you anticipate that a child, friend, spouse, etc.
may need to call you because of an emergency and your cell phone cannot be set to alert you silently, you should arrange
for the caller to dial CSI security at 732-6605. Failure to respect the rights of others in the class will in most cases lead to
a verbal warning on the first offense and a grade of “F” and/or withdrawal from the class if the problem persists.

g. Any student with a documented disability may be eligible for related accommodations. To determine eligibility and
secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after regist ration for
a class . Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the Taylor Building on the Twin Falls Campus. 208.
732.6250 (voice) or 208.734.9929 (TTY),

h. Resources for Help: 1. Free drop-in tutoring in the Math Lab in Shields 207; see schedule on the door there. 2. There
may be other tutoring services available through the Learning Assistance Coordinator; call Kat Powell 732-6685 for
information. 3. Form a study group with others in the class; to reserve a study room in the library, call 732-6500. 4. Email,
call, or visit the instructor with your questions–you’re supposed to.

i. Course Evaluations are online. Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course.
Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course. Evaluations are available
online at: Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end of the course. The last day to complete
an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the evaluations are open, students can complete the course
evaluations at their convenience from any computer with Internet access, including in the open lab in the Library and in
the SUB. When students log in they should see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are
anonymous. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!

j. I reserve the right to correct errors or omissions in this syllabus.

The following schedule is TENTATIVE and subject to change.