Course Web Page:
www.math.ups.edu/~martinj/courses/m232a_f01.html
or
go to www.math.ups.edu/~martinj and follow the obvious
links
Course Overview and Text
This course represents the stepping stone between the calculus sequence and upper division math courses. In successfully completing this course, a student should
Throughout the semester we will develop skills in reading and writing mathematical proofs. The structure of mathematics is contained in definitions, axioms, theorems, and proofs. ``Doing mathematics'' often culminates in proving a theorem. Linear algebra provides an ideal setting in which to gain expertise in proving theorems because the basic definitions are clear and straightforward.
The text for this course is Introduction to Linear Algebra, 4th ed., Lee W. Johnson, R. Dean Riess, and Jimmy T. Arnold, (Addison Wesley, 1998). We will cover the material in Chapters 1 through 4 of the text.
Grading, Coursework, and Policies
In class, we will discuss new material, respond to questions from reading the text, and work through assigned problems on which there are difficulties. When we discuss new material, the focus will be on ``the big picture.'' That is, we will look at new ideas in their simplest form and how these ideas fit together. Often, we will not consider details and variations in depth during a first pass through new material. Your mastery of the details will begin outside of class with a careful reading of the text and work on the assigned problems. We will address the details by responding to questions on the reading and problems that you bring to class. You are expected to participate in class by being present (and alert), by responding to questions I pose, and by asking the questions that you have.
Outside of class, you should read the relevant sections of the text carefully. This will generally include working through the reasoning of arguments and filling in steps that are omitted in calculations. You should keep a list of specific questions from the reading and find answers to those questions either in class, with me outside of class, with study partners, or with a tutor.
The text is also a source of problems that are essential in building understanding and skill. I will assign homework problems from the textbook on which I expect you to spend considerable time and effort. For many sections, I will designate a few problems to be turned in and evaluated. The problems that I evaluate will focus more on developing and writing proofs than on computations because it is often difficult for students to assess the validity of their own proofs. You should not get in the habit of focusing only on the problems designated to be turned in. You will need to do many more problems in order to become facile with concepts, techniques, and applications.
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has designated this course as part of the university's Writing in the Major requirement. I will have specific assignments designed to help improve your mathematical writing skills.
Each assignment will have a due date. If you wish to turn an assignment in after the due date, you must talk with me before the due date. Under reasonable circumstances, I will grant individual extensions for deadlines. If you submit an assignment after a deadline (or an agreed upon extension), I will assess a penalty equal to 10% of the assignment's maximum point value for each working day that the assignment is late.
In order to assess your learning, we will have five exams and a final exam. There will be five exams during the semester with exact dates announced at least one week in advance. In order that time not be a factor on exams, I will arrange to give each exam during a two-hour time period, generally in the evening. I write exams so that approximately three-fourths of each exam is ``straightforward'' and the remainder involves more challenging problems. By this, I intend that a well-prepared student can do the ``straightforward'' problems without hesitation but will often or always have to struggle with the challenging problems.
The final exam will be comprehensive. It is scheduled for 8:00-10:00 am on Tuesday, December 11. It is University policy that no exceptions can be made for taking a final exam at the scheduled time. Please do not make travel arrangements that conflict with the scheduled final exam time.
To determine course grades, I calculate a total course score according
to the following weights:
1. Assignments 25%
2. Exams 60%
3. Final exam 15%
I assign a preliminary course grade based on an objective
standard (93.0-100% for an A, 90.0-92.9% for an A-, 87.0-89.9% for
a B+, 83.0-86.9% for a B, etc.). I then look at each student's
performance subjectively. Occasionally I will assign a course grade
that is higher than the objective standard. For example, if a student
has a grade of B according to the objective standard but has shown
steady improvement, I might assign a course grade of B+.
Office Hours
I am available in my office for help several hours each day. I am often in my office during the day in hours at which I do not have a scheduled class, meeting, or other activity. A copy of my schedule is included below. Feel free to come look for me. To be (almost) guaranteed that I will be in, come during one of the hours labeled as an ``office hour.'' You can also call, send e-mail, or stop me after class to schedule an appointment for a specific time.