Overview. The textbook is
Linear Algebra, 3rd Edition, by J. Fraleigh and R. Beauregard, Addison-Wesley, 1995 ISBN: 0-201-52675-1. (596 pp, $114.00)PLEASE read the textbook and bring it to class. By the end of this course, the students should be familiar with elementary linear algebra including eigenvalues and diagonalization. For many students, this will be the most theoretical mathematics course they have had. At the same time, never forget that linear transformations are an essential part of the syllabus. Most of Chapters 1 - 7 will be covered. Check here (frequently) for an update on this syllabus.
Prerequisites: You must have completed MAT 2020 (second semester Calculus).
Classes begin Tue 06/Sep/05. There will be four (4) one-hour Partial Examination during the term (scheduled on Mon 26/Sep/05, Fri 21/Oct/05, Fri 11/Nov/05, Fri 09/Dec/05 , almost one for each chapter). Review is expected on the last three (3) classes. No class on Tue 22/Nov/05 (day scheduled as Thursday) and during Thanksgiving Recess (Thu 24/Nov/05 -- Fri 25/Nov/05). Classes end Wed 14/Dec/05. Final Examination will be on Tue 20/Dec/05, 08:00 - 10:30 a.m. Makeup exams will not be given unless (exceptionally) arranged in advance. In correcting the exams, you will have partial credit but remember, it is not enough to obtain the right answer to a problem, the procedure and full details should also be clearly written.
Quizzes will be given each (or every other) Friday that no exam is scheduled. They will be given at the END of the period of class and will last approximately fifteen or twenty minutes. NO makeup quizzes will be given at all.
Homework assignments will be given for each of the sections we cover, usually they will not be collected. If you have trouble with the problems assigned, you should do more of them that just the one assigned. You may turn in (for correction rather than grading) such assignments even if they are not collected. Keeping up with the homework is probably the single most important things you can do to improve your chances for a good grade.
Attendance to class will be excused (only) in the case of sickness or other emergency. Missing a bus, oversleeping, other tests the same day, etc., are not sufficient reasons for missing a lecture. You will be asked to document the circumstances which caused you to miss the lecture. Ask questions! It's your responsibility to ask about anything you don't understand. Write down the things that bother you while you're reading the text or working on problems, so you'll be ready with a list of questions when you come to class and/or office hours. There's no such thing as a stupid question, usually other students are grateful that you asked the question. Cell Phones and Pages should be turned off during class. Warning to the wise: It is essential to success in this course that attendance be regular and that homework be done daily. Do not allow yourself to get behind.
Grading. The seven best quizzes will give a total quiz grade of 20 points. Each partial examination is 20 points, and the final exam is 40 points. The worst of the six scores (1/2 of the final if that is worst) will be eliminated and the rest totaled (up to 120 points). An almost standard grading scale will be applied (120-110 is A, 110-100 is A-, 100-95 is B+, 95-85 is B, 85-80 is B-, 80-75 is C+, 75-65 is C, 65-60 is C-, 60-55 is D+, 55-45 is D, 45-40 is D-, 0-40 is E). This scale may be lowered (never raised) if necessary accordingly to the distribution of grades. HOWEVER, please note the departmental policy saying that if your final exam grade is not passing (i.e., C- or better), then your best grade is D+. This means that you need a 50% correct in the final (and a 50% in the quizzes, unless special circumstances) to pass with a C- or better. At the end of the semester, finals grades will be posted in final grades, next to the last four digits of the student's PID.
Office Hours. Mon and Tue 10:35 -- 11:30, and by appointment at 1229 Faculty/Administrative Building , Phone (313) 577-3196, Dr. J.L. Menaldi (e-mail: jlm@math.wayne.edu).