Course Syllabus
Math 419-003 Winter 2006
Linear Spaces and Matrix Theory   
 
Time: MW 8:30 - 10:00am   EH3866
Text: Linear Algebra with Applications by Otto Bretscher 3ed.
Credits: 3. Credit is granted for only one course among Math 214, 217, 417, and 419. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Math 513.
Instructor: Emina Alibegovic    Office: East Hall 1825   Phone: 647-5518    Email: eminaa at umich.edu
Office Hours: M 10:15-11:30 W 2:30-3:45 EH1825


      Plan         We will start this semester by studying linear systems of equations and the Gauss-Jordan method for solving them. These notions naturally lead into the study of linear transformations of the Euclidean spaces and their subspaces. The concepts we study here can be generalized to a broader class of spaces called linear or vector spaces. We will study orthogonal projections and transformations, and then move onto the study of eigenvectors and eigenvalues. This is a brief description of our material. In a nutshell, we will cover first 7 chapters of the book, and, as time permits, we may venture into chapters 8 and 9.



      Homeworks         Problem sets will be assigned each Wednesday and will be due at the BEGINNING of lecture the following Wednesday, except:

The homework sets will be listed on the course webpage:

http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~eminaa/teaching/419w06/index.html
as will any handouts or course related information. The course site is linked to ctools, you can email to the whole class (419w06@ctools.umich.edu), or chat. You are encouraged to work on the homeworks together, but I do insist that everybody writes up their own solutions in their own words and demonstrate understanding of what they have done. Write effectively, with due attention to organization and logical progression of the ideas. Each solution should be complete and appropriately supported - by relevant observations, argumentation, drawings, etc.
Note: Just because this a math class does not mean you are allowed to make grammar, spelling and other mistakes that would imply you should be in an English class instead. Complete presentation will be graded!

      Exams         There will be three exams during our regular lecture time (February 8, March 15, and April 17). You will not be allowed to use anything but pencils and your brains (no calculator, cheat sheets, books, notes). I will write the exams so that this will not pose a problem. You may NOT be excused from an exam, unless there is an emergency, in which case you should be able to both support your request by documents and obtain my permission beforehand.

      Grading         Grades will be based on homeworks, 2 exams, and 1 comprehensive final examination. Grading policy is as follows:
Homeworks Almost every Wednesday 30 %
Exam #1 February 8, in class 20 %
Exam #2 March 15, in class 20 %
Final Exam April 17, 8:00 am, in class 30 %
Disclaimer: If I get a sense that you are not doing as well as I would like you to, I reserve the right to start giving quizzes and count them as 10% of your grade (those will be subtracted from the homework's 30%).

      Grades will be assigned according to the following guidelines:

A 93-100% B 83-87% C 71-77% D 59-63%
A- 90-92% B- 80-82% C- 68-70% D- 55-62%
B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79% D+ 63-67% E 0-55%




      Time expectation         In order to be successful in this class I think you should not rely exclusively on the assigned problems: you should do as many exercises as you need in order to be able to follow each lecture. Further, you should read each section before we discuss it in the classroom. The book is well written, and we may as well take advantage of that. You should plan on spending about 6 hours a week (outside of lecture). If you are spending less time, and not doing as well as you would like, then ___________ (fill in the blank). If you are spending more time, and still not doing as well as you would like, you should talk to me.

      Please come to my office hours. This gives me the opportunity to focus on specific problems you may be having and to explain things in a more personal manner. If the scheduled times are bad for you, make an appointment with me.

      If, at any point, you want to give me some feedback about my teaching you will find an anonymous evaluation form on the course webpage.

      Dropping a Class:     Students may drop any class without penalty or permission through Wednesday, 1/25. After that date until Wednesday, 2/15, you will need an authorization to drop, will have W on your transcript and will be charged 50% of your tuition.

      The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodations be provided for students with physical, cognitive, systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities. Please contact me at the beginning of the semester to discuss any such accommodations for this course.

I hope you will enjoy this semester.