Math 310-01: Modern Linear Algebra
Spring 2001
1:35-2:40 pm MWF in OSS 111

Professor: Brenda K. Kroschel
Office: OSS 208, Phone: 962-5537
Mail: #OSS 201, E-mail: bkkroschel@stthomas.edu
Homepage: http://personal1.stthomas.edu/bkkroschel
Office hours: M: 2:45-4:00 pm, T: 1:30-2:30 pm, Th: 9:30-10:30 am,
F 9:00-9:30 am, or by appointment

Prerequisite

Successful completion of Math 210 or its equivalent.

Attendance

Although not included in the grading, regular attendance is expected. You will get more out of the class and the class will be more lively if you keep up on the material and participate in class. You are expected to read the material before coming to class. Students are responsible for acquiring any material missed when they are absent.

Text

Matrix Analysis and Applied Linear Algebra by Carl D. Meyer, SIAM.
Chapters covered : Sec. 3.9; Ch. 4, 5; Sec. 6.2; Sec. 7.1-7.3, 7.5-7.8, 7.11; Sec. 8.1-8.3

Click here for a tentative schedule of the semester.

Homework and Quizzes
 
Homework
Homework will be collect weekly and a subset of the questions will be graded. I encourage you to work together. Form study groups and share ideas and solutions with each other, but you should write up your own solutions. Each assignment is worth 10 points. It is expected that you will work 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class. This means 6-9 hours per week, so DO NOT save your homework until the night before it is due! Assignments are posted on my home page. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.
 
Group Work
In order to check your progress there will also be occasional group work assignments in class that are worth 10 points.
CAM Lectures
You are required to attend two CAM lectures throughout the semester. Attendance at a CAM lecture is worth 10 points and will be included in the homework/group work point total. If you cannot attend CAM lectures, they are available on video tape in the Learning Center in the basement of OEC. If you watch a video of the lecture, a written review is required in order to receive the points. You may receive 5 extra credit points for each additional lecture that you attend or watch (up to 10 points extra credit.) For a schedule of CAM talks go to the CAM web page.

Approximately 150 total points and homework and group work.

Projects and Tutor/Mentor

Linear Algebra Projects
You will be doing projects in groups of two (three, if necessary.) The project should be on a topic in linear algebra and should include careful research and, possibly, some programming. A written report as well as a presentation are required components of the project. There will be a handout later with more on this. The project is 75 pts (50 points for the content and quality of the written report and 25 for the presentation.)
Tutor/Mentor Program
If you choose, you may participate in the Tutor/Mentor program instead of doing a project. There is an exciting opportunity to help Somali students pass their Basic Standards math exam at Roosevelt High School. If you choose to do the Tutor/Mentor program, I would like you to keep a weekly journal of your tutor sessions. If you wish to do both the Tutor/Mentor program and the math project, I will give you 50 extra points for your participation.

Exams

Semester Exams
There will be three regular exams during the semester each worth 100 points. I will not give exams outside of the scheduled time unless I receive notification at least one class period prior to the exam or you have a note from a dean, doctor, or coach. Tentatively, the exam dates are: Friday, Feb. 23; Monday, April 2; and Monday, May 7.
Final Exam
The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16, 10:30 am-12:00 pm. Everyone is required to be present at the time of the final exam. However, you will be giving your presentations at this time. Please do not get early plane tickets as you are required to be in class at this time.

Grading

Grading is on percentage of approximately 525 total points. The grading scale is: 89% A-, 79% B-, 69% C-, 50% D-. All deadlines are firm and no late work will be accepted!

Academic Integrity

I expect a very high standard of academic integrity from each of you. This means not only that I expect you not to look at one another's papers or use crib notes during an exam, but also that you submit your own work on labs or projects and that you pull your fair share of the weight on group assignments. Each individual in the group must understand the material submitted. In the case of questionable academic integrity please feel free to discuss the issue with me in my office, or send an anonymous note. In case there is a question at to whether or not a student understands the work he or she has handed in, I reserve the right to require that individual to come to my office and explain their work to me orally.

Plagiarism (this includes plagiarizing others computer labs), cheating, and other acts of academic misconduct, will result in, at minimum, a failing grade for the assignment, and at my discretion, a failing grade for the course.