Mathematics

Math 340 - Vectors and Matrices
Fall 2001

Course Description

(from the catalog) Vector spaces, matrices, and matrix operations; determinants; linear transformations. Prerequisite: grades of C or higher in 221.

Text

R. Larson and B. Edwards, Elementary Linear Algebra, Houghton Mifflin Company, Fourth Edition, Boston - New York, 2000.

Core (General Education) Skill Objectives:

1. Thinking Skills:

   (a)

   Students will use reasoned standards in solving problems and presenting arguments.

2. Communication Skills: Students will ...

   (a)

   ...read with comprehension and the ability to analyze and evaluate.

   (b)

   ...listen with an open mind and respond with respect.

   (c)

   ...access information and communicate using current technology.

3. Life Value Skills:

   (a)

   Students will analyze, evaluate and respond to ethical issues from an informed personal value system.

4. Cultural Skills: Students will ...

   (a)

   ...understand culture as an evolving set of world views with diverse historical roots that provides a framework for guiding, expressing, and interpreting human behavior.

   (b)

   ...demonstrate knowledge of the signs and symbols of another culture.

   (c)

   ...participate in activity that broadens their customary way of thinking.

5. Aesthetic Skills:

   (a)

   Students will develop an aesthetic sensitivity.

Specific Course Goals:

Students will ...

1. ...be exposed to an in-depth study of central ideas of linear algebra.
2. ...continue to expand their problem-solving skills, in particular, visualization and abstraction.
3. ...gain knowledge and skills to formalize their ideas and express them with a full mathematical rigour.

Content:

1. Systems of Linear Equations.
2. Matrices.
3. Determinants
4. Vector Spaces
5. Inner Product Spaces.
6. Linear Transformations.
7. Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors.

Course Philosophy and Procedure

Just keep this simple principle in mind: If you are not enjoying this course, if the work is not fun, then something most be wrong. Talk to me right away! This course involves a lot of concepts that easily translate into fairly straightforward (but sometimes lengthy) calculations. Geometry, i.e., visualization is essential. There are also some topics that involve a greater level of abstraction yet there will be plenty of exercises available to check and enhance your understanding of those concepts. You will find that the concepts learned in this course can be applied to many problems in Mathematics and Science.

You should plan to reserve a significant amount of time to study for this course. The material is easy, but the nature of the exercises is such that they are going to be time consuming. Being focused is of utmost importance. Don't rush in doing the problems!

Grading will consist of two semester (100 points each) and the final exam) worth 200 points each. The homework and chapter projects will total to 200 points.

My grading scale is

A=90%, AB=87%, B=80%, BC=77%, C=70%, CD=67%, D=60%.

Final Exam: 12/12 from 12:50-2:50.

Americans with Disability Act:

If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations for this class, please see me and Wayne Wojciechowski in Murphy Center Room 320 (796-3085) within ten days to discuss your accommodation needs.

This syllabus is tentative and may be adjusted during the semester.