::math 22a:: syllabus

course:

mat-22a-1 (summer session I)

instructor:

Ezra Gouvea

title:

linear algebra

website:

http://math.ucdavis.edu/~ezrag/22a

meeting:

MTWRF 9:00--9:59 A (cruess 107)
M 10:00--10:59 A (MSB 2118)

email:

ezrag

math.ucdavis.edu

crn:

56600

office hours
(in msb 2129):

M	11--12
T	11--12
W	10--11
R	1--2
F	10--11
**	or by appointment

Welcome to linear algebra at UC Davis! If you find yourself falling behind (or, better yet, before you fall behind), you may need to take a new approach to learning. You might want to try to:

read the book---(especially if you feel lost during the lecture) try reading the relevant section (check the tentative lecture schedule) before you come to class, after class, while you're doing homework, etc. (reading math is not like reading some other subjects---you must concentrate on what the author is saying, and it's perfectly normal to have to read a passage three, five, or ten times);
participate in lecture---try to follow along and ask questions when something doesn't make sense;
find a study group---reading the book will be easier if you have a study buddy to help cure your apathy and confusion;
come to office hours---I am here to help (also, this might be a good place to start looking for a study group); and
do your homework---it will help.

Overview

The textbook is Kolman and Hill's Introductory Linear Algebra: An Applied First Course (8th edition). We will be studying vector spaces, linear transformations, matrices, and eigenvectors.

There will be eleven homework assignments, four quizes, one midterm, and a final exam. Your lowest homework score will be dropped, and your lowest quiz score will be dropped. You are encouraged to work together on homework; but all work that you turn in must be written by you, and you must understand it well enough to reproduce on your own. Of course, no form of group work is allowed during the exams.

The homework assignments will be given in class, and posted on the website at
http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~ezrag/22a/hw.html.

	::grading::
homework	................10%
quizzes	................15%
midterm	................35%
final	................40%

Resources

This class has an associated lab http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/%7Edaddel/Math22al_S02/m98home.html
Ali Dad-del (here at UC Davis) hosts this page of resources and applications of linear algebra http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/%7Edaddel/linear_algebra_appl/lin_alg_app_home.html
Linear algebra has been around for quite a while. You might try picking up other books on linear algebra to see if they are easier for you to read.
At times, I will be using Stillwell's book The Four-Pillars of Geometry for reference. The geometry of Euclidean space is intimately tied with the the dot product and structure of a vector space.

Policies

prerequisites
Each student must have completed at least nine units of college mathematics. There is a linear algebra computer lab (MAT 22AL) associated to this class. You must either be concurrently enrolled in MAT 22AL or have passed Engineering 6.

homework
Homework will be collected at the beginning of class on Tuesdays and Thursdays (only even problems are necessary to turn in). Homework assignments should be stapled and tidy. Your solutions should clearly show each logical step, and be easy to read. Late homework will not be accepted but your lowest score will be dropped.

exams
Calculators will not be allowed (nor necessary) during examinations. There will be no make-up exams; except under documentable, extreme circumstances. If this is the case, contact the instructor as soon as possible.

grading
At the end of the quarter the grades will be curved. This will be done fairly, and everyone will receive the grade that they have earned. You are encouraged to study together and avoid competition.

cheating
You will be held to the University's Standards of Conduct for Students. And instances of misconduct will be reported to Student Judicial Affairs.

expectations
Besides homework and exams, you are responsible for reading the textbook and coming to class on time. Latecomers (like everyone) are expected to cause as little disruption to the class as possible. Make sure to turn off your cell phone before class. Beverages and quiet snacks are allowed as long as they are not distracting to your peers, i.e. no noises, smells, spills, etc.

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