Section 0401 MTH 0304 MWF 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Peter Wolfe
Text: Linear Algebra and its
Applications, Third Ed. by David Lay.
The first three chapters of the Study guide for the third edition are available on-line at www.laylinalgebra.com
Goals of the course: The goal of MATH 461 is to introduce the student to Linear Algebra and some of its applications. There is a large number of terms and concepts associated with the subject. To do well in the course it is not enough just to be able to do the computations. The student will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts.
Computer Work; We will be using the software system MATLAB.
MATLAB help: For help with MATLAB, this link will take you to the software info page of the Mathematics Department. SOFTWARE
Introduction to MATLAB: Here is a short introduction to MATLAB
that can be downloaded in either pdf or postscript format
Click here for
postscript . Click here for pdf .
Exams and Quizzes: There will be three hour exams; on October 2, October 28 and December 2 and a final exam on December 17. In addition, there will be 11 ten minute quizzes. (The dates are noted on the syllabus.) Make-ups for hour exams will be given only upon presentation of an acceptable excuse. No make-ups for quizzes will be given.
Homework: There is a homework assignment for each day (given on the syllabus). The first few minutes of each class is set aside for the discussion of homework. Students will be responsible for all assigned problems. There also will be several MATLAB assignments to be handed in.
Grading: The lowest three quiz grades will be dropped and the rest will count as one hour exam. The final will count as 2 hour exams. the MATLAB assignments will count as half an hour exam. Grading will be on the scale 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, <60=F. However, grades may be adjusted upwards on the basis of a) improvement over the semester or b) an exceptionally good final exam.
MATLAB Assignments