MAT 150 -- Spring 2013
Linear Algebra

A: TuTh, 8:15-9:30 am
B: TuTh, 9:40-10:55 am
Chambers 3146


Course Description


Instructor:
Stephen L. Davis; click here for my weekly schedule.

Text & Software:

Instructor comments:

Topics in this course include matrices, vector spaces, linear independence, orthogonality, eigenvalues, and linear transformations. The dates of introduction for sections in Lay's text are approximated in the table below. We will use the Mathematica computing environment to relieve some for the mundane arithmetical chores of the course, to provide an opportunity for computationally intensive investigations, and to reveal some of the geometric properties of our algebraic objects. No prior experience with Mathematica is assumed.

Some assignments in this course may be done collaboratively, while others must be done independently. Generally, homework exercises are open for discussion, though it is always assumed that you can defend whatever you turn in. Mathematica-based assignments will ordinarily accomplished with a partner. On a given event, it should be clear what level of peer assistance is permissable, but do not hesitate to ask for clarification if the ground rules are vague.

Attendance:

Come to every class meeting and come on time. Missing class deprives both you of a first-hand class experience and your classmates of your particular perspectives. I monitor attendance; excessive or repeated absences can trigger action to encourage more faithful attendance. In any event, you are responsible for all material discussed in class, whether you are present or absent.

Evaluation:

There will be four "take-home" writs and one in-class review as indicated below. We will also have a final examination and several Mathematica-based assignments. Other factors, such as participation in class and persistence with homework, may provide additional color to this evaluation. With a "writ" being the unit of measure, reviews will be worth 2 writs each, the Final Examination will carry the weight of 3 writs, Mathematica-based assignments will be worth 2 writs, and other considerations will account for at most 1 writ. Thus, the recipe for your grade in this course is distributed as roughly

Schedule Guesstimate:

( volatile! )
Date Section Event  Chapter Topic
Jan 15, 17 1.1, 1.2 1.3, Mathematica intro  1: Linear Equations
Jan 22, 24 1.4, 1.5 1.6, 1.7
Jan 29, 31 1.8 1.9 Weekend Writ #1
Feb 5, 7 2.1 2.2, 2.3  2: Matrix Algebra
Feb 12, 14 2.4 2.7
Feb 19, 21 2.8 2.9 Weekend Writ #2
Feb 26, 28 .. 3.1, 3.2  3: Determinants
Mar 5, 7 no class no class Spring Break
Mar 12, 14 3.3; 4.9 Review
Mar 19, 21 4.1-4.3 4.4, 4.7  4: Vector Spaces
Mar 26, 28 .. 5.1, 5.2  5: Eigenvalues & Eigenvectors
Apr 2, 4 no class 5.3 Weekend Writ #3
Apr 9, 11 5.4, 5.5 5.6
Apr 16, 18 6.1, 6.2 6.3  6: Orthogonality & Least Squares
Apr 23, 25 6.4, 6.5 7.1 Weekend Writ #4  7: Symmetric Matrices & Quadratic Forms
Apr 30, May 1 7.2, 7.3 7.4
May 7, 9 debrief Reading Day  
May 10-15 Final Examination