MA211A –Applied Matrix Theory (Spring
2008)
General Information:
Instructor: Dr. Laura McSweeney (lmcsweeney [at] mail.fairfield.edu)
Meeting Times: Monday, Thursday 9:30 – 10:20a, Wed. 9 – 9:50am in BNW 333
Text: Linear Algebra and its Applications (Updated 3ed) by David C. Lay
Office Hours: Monday, Wed, Thursday, 11 - noon, Wed. 5:00 – 6:00pm
and by appointment in Bannow 111. (203)254 – 4000 x2194
Course website: http://faculty.fairfield.edu/lmcsweeney/ma211.htm
You will need a TI-83 calculator. Please bring your calculator to class each day. I will let you know when you need to bring your text to class.
Note: Tues., Feb 19th follows a Monday schedule and thus our class will meet on that day.
Course Coverage and Assignments
Course Description: This course will discuss the applications, techniques and theory of linear algebra. We will cover important concepts like solving systems of linear equations, linear transformations, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors with applications from many fields. Technology will also be used. This is a great course for students with a math minor or for students majoring in engineering, other sciences, economics or business!
In this course, it is expected that you will learn vector and matrix algebra, learn how to solve systems of linear equations (using a variety of techniques), use linear transformations, and find eigenvalues/eigenvectors and determinants. You should also be able to discuss the theory behind these methods. In addition, you will be able to apply the techniques to solve applied problems from a variety of disciplines.
Topics:
Sections 1.1 – 1.10: Solving
Systems of Linear Equations,
Vector and Matrix Equations,
Linear Independence, Linear Transformations, Applications
Section 2.1 –
2.3, 2.6, 2.8: Matrix Algebra, Inverse
of a Matrix, Leontif
Input-Output Models, Subspaces of Ân, Vector Spaces
and Subspaces, Null Spaces, Column
Spaces, Bases, Dimension, Rank
Section 3.1 –
3.3: Determinants, Properties, and
Cramer’s Rule
Section 4.9: Markov Chains
Section 5.1
-5.3: (As Time Permits) Eigenvalues,
Eigenvectors, Characteristic Equation, Diagonalization, Discrete Dynamical
Systems
Attendance: The student handbook (2007-2008 edition, pg. 35) states that you are required to attend all classes. Attendance to each class is expected since we will be covering new material in each class, usually a section or two from the text each class. Also note that lack of attendance is often an indicator of whether a student succeeds in a course or not. You are responsible for getting notes and assignments for any classes missed. Please note that almost all students who have failed my courses do so because of lack of attendance!
I may notify your academic dean if you miss an excessive number of classes (ie: more than 4 classes). I use this policy because excessive absences typically indicate that there are external issues affecting student performance in the course which may also affect your success in other classes. If you are absent for an extended period or repeatedly during a semester due to an illness or family emergency, you should inform me as well as your Dean so that we are aware of factors which may affect your scholastic performance.
Make-Up Policy: Since I will drop the lowest quiz, there will be no make-ups of missed quizzes. Please note that if you miss an exam, you are not guaranteed or entitled to a make-up exam. A missed exam, except for extreme and dire circumstances, will receive a grade of zero. In these rare cases, verification and reason for absence is required (Doctor’s note, note from the Dean’s office, etc.). It is your responsibility to provide documentation and contact me prior to the missed class so I can determine if an exam will be allowed to be made up. Missed exams will usually have to be made up as soon as possible, typically the next day or by the next class. Dates and documentation for sports or other school related absences (ie: field trips) should ideally be given at the beginning of the semester, and no later than one week before the missed class. Please note that excuses like oversleeping, having a cold, starting a weekend early or taking a vacation are not valid reasons for missing an exam or quiz. The dates for the exams are listed below and the quizzes will be announced about one week in advance.
Participation: In order to master the concepts and material of this course, you will need to actively participate in class and do LOTS of examples outside of class. In addition, you are expected to attend all classes. Simply showing up to class is not enough, you must commit to doing work consistently outside of class as well participating in class. Obviously, you can not participate in class if you are not there!
Common Courtesy: Students are expected not to text-message, surf the web, IM or check emails during class. Such behavior is distracting to me and to other students, and is just rude. Students engaging in such behavior may be asked to leave the class. Also, all cell phones should be shut off at the beginning of class, so that they do not go off during class.
Please arrive to class on time and use the facilities BEFORE class. It is disrupting to me and other students when students come in late and/or leave during class. Please be sure to dispose of your food/drink container and your trash after class.
Grading:
Homework: In order to master the concepts and material of this course, you will need to study the theory and do LOTS of examples. Simply showing up to class is not enough, you must commit to doing work consistently outside of class. Do not wait until just before an exam to do the homework or seek help. You should do the homework as it is assigned and seek help throughout the semester as needed. Please feel free to work with each other on regular homework assignments and to see me if you are having difficulty with the homework.
Homework will be assigned daily and I will typically assign odd numbered problems that have answers in the book. I will not collect these homework problems, however, I will give homework quizzes on a regular basis.
Quizzes: There will be approximately 4-5 in-class quizzes given during the semester. The problems on these quizzes will usually be based on the assigned homework. Each quiz will be worth 20 points. Since the lowest quiz will be dropped there will be no make ups of quizzes. (See makeup policy above for details). Quizzes will usually be announced two classes ahead of time. Pop quizzes will be given as needed, especially if attendance becomes a problem.
Projects:
There will be 4 projects (extended problem sets) due this semester. A
few of the projects will be started in class.
Each project is due a week after it is given, at the beginning of class.
No late work will be accepted. You may
use your calculator as directed by the project.
You may work with one or two other students on the project. If so, your group will only turn in one solution for the project per group. Team members will get the same grade on the
project. If you decide to work with
another person, each person should work through the entire project. [In other words, DO NOT break up the project
into parts and have each person do a part.
This is not a good way to do these projects, since you will not be
learning all the theory and skills of the project and therefore you will miss
critical information which may show up on the exam.] It is critical that the write-ups for the
project be written using complete sentences and with thorough, but concise,
explanations. Written communication of
ideas (especially mathematical ones) is a skill that you will be developing in
this course. I will deduct points for incomplete sentences, grammatical and spelling
mistakes and answers without justifications!
Exams: There will be 2 in-class exams and one
cumulative final exam. Questions asked
on the exams will NOT always be “just like” homework questions. I will be testing your understanding of the
concepts learned in class and some questions will see if you can apply the
skills learned to new situations. The exams are scheduled for Thursday, March 13th and Thursday. April 17th. The final exam will be a cumulative exam
during the time set by the registrar’s office (Monday, May 5, 2005, 1:30p
– 4:30p in our usually classroom).
Please note the dates of the exam
and plan according. You are required to take the exams on the scheduled day and
time.
The grading scheme (assuming a 10 point problem) for homework and exams problems usually follows this rubric:
0 pts deduction - Perfect solution with explanations and/or justifications
1 pt deduction: Nearly perfect solution with a minor mistake (minor arithmetic mistake or typos, “Oops!” mistakes)
2 or 3 pts deduction: Some progress made toward correct solution, but there is a significant flaw in solution
5-10 pt deduction: No effort or real progress made towards a correct solution
Final Grade
Calculation:
Please note that to
earn an A (or A-) in the course, a student must do well in all areas.
|
Assignment |
Total Points Possible |
Percent of Final Grade |
|
Quizzes [Average of quizzes with lowest 1 dropped] |
100 |
18.9% |
|
Exams [100 pts. Each] |
200 |
37.7% |
|
Projects [Sum of 4 projects, 20 pts each] |
80 |
15.1% |
|
Final Exam |
150 |
28.3% |
|
Total Points
Possible |
530 |
100% |
Final Course Grade Calculation: Your grade = Total Points Earned/530 *100%.
The usual grade
ranges apply. For example:
80 £ x < 83 is a B-, 83 £ x < 87 is a B, 87£ x < 90 is a B+, etc.
Withdrawing from the Course:
The last day to drop
the course is March 10th. If you decide to withdraw, you will need to see the
Dean of your school before the deadline in order to fill out the appropriate
forms.
Incompletes:
The policy for receiving an incomplete is outlined in the undergraduate catalog. An incomplete is issued when, due to an emergency situation, a student prearranges to complete some of the course requirement.
Academic Honesty:
All students are expected to follow the guidelines for academic honesty. (See pledge taken from the 2007-2008 Fairfield University Student Handbook, pg. 33-34). The undergraduate catalog outlines what constitutes academic dishonesty. In this course, acts of academic dishonesty may include using unauthorized “cheat sheets” on quizzes or exams; copying or obtaining questions and solutions from other students; sharing computer output or solutions, passing off someone else’s work as your own; programming inappropriate formulas/programs into calculators/PDA/cell phones (you can always check with me if you are unsure if a program you have is inappropriate); plagiarizing (copying or cut and pasting) other student’s or previously published work without proper citations; sharing computer output; etc. If you have questions about whether a particular situation is “dishonest” please ask!!!
Students caught breaking the academic honesty policy of this class will receive a grade of 0 on the assignment and/or an F in the course. The student will be reported to his/her Dean and the violation will be included in the student’s academic record.
Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for students with documented disabilities will be made according to suggestions from the Office of Academic and Disability Support Services. Please contact Aimee Tiu, 203-254-4000 x2615, atiu@mail.fairfield.edu. Please inform me of these arrangements at the beginning of the semester.
General Words of Advice:
Feel free to consult with other students on homework problems or come to office hours if you get stuck. If you find yourself falling behind see me as soon as possible. Please do not wait until right before exam time.
Free tutoring is provided through the Office of Academic and
Disability Support Services (x2615). Students are encouraged to utilize my
office hours and to meet with me prior to arranging outside tutoring. The
For tips on how to have "Success in Math" (as well as your other classes) check out the website: http://euler.slu.edu/Dept/SuccessinMath.html
I hope you have a good semester! J