Syllabus for Math 2240 – Introduction to Linear Algebra
Section 101

Fall 2008

Prerequisite: Math 1120 (Calculus II).

Text: Elementary Linear Algebra (5^th Edition) by Larson, Edwards and Falvo, ISBN: 0-618-33567-6 (Used cost approx. $73 -- you can go to AddAll.com for prices)

Web Page: My webpage is located here: https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj and
                       our course webpage is located here: https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj/courses/math2240-fall2008.

Meeting times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:00am – 12:00pm in Walker Hall room 308 (unless otherwise announced).

Final Exam: Our final exam will be held on Wednesday, December 17^th from 3:00pm – 5:30pm in PC Lab 307B.

Lecturer:

Technology: You are welcome to use any technology at your disposal to complete out of class assignments. In class we will be using Maple (a “computer algebra system”). Maple should be available on all campus lab computers. If you would like a personal copy, one can be obtained for about $75. You will be allowed to use Maple and graphing calculators during your exams. However, you will not be allowed to use calculators and Maple during your quizzes.

Course topics: The course catalog says, “A study of vectors, matrices and linear transformations, principally in two and three dimensions, including treatments of systems of linear equations, determinants, and eigenvalues.” We will be covering Chapters 1 – 4, 6 and 7 of our text along with selected portions of Chapter 5.  A tentative course schedule can be found at: https://mathsci.appstate.edu/~cookwj/courses/math2240-fall2008/schedule.html.

Your term grade will be based on the results of your tests and final exam as well as your scores on quizzes and homework. Here is more information about the individual components of your grade:

Tests and Final Exam: There will be three tests and a cumulative final exam. Each test will make up 15% of your final grade and the final exam will make up 20% of your final grade. The dates of the tests listed in the tentative course schedule may change. The actual dates will be announced in class.

Homework & Quizzes: I will post a list of suggested homework problems from the text – these will not be collected. Even though these homework problems will be not collected, working out all of the suggested problems is strongly recommended. Please ask questions about problems with which you have had difficulty. We will have short quizzes periodically. Quiz problems will be based on the suggested homework. In addition to the quizzes, I will assign (approximately 5) homework projects. I encourage you to work on these projects with your classmates. However, you must write up your solutions yourself.  Do NOT copy your collaborators work and turn it in as your own. The quizzes will make up 15% of your final grade and the projects will make up 20% of your final grade.

In summary, here are the components of the term grade with their weights:

Grades will be assigned based on the standard +/- system. (92-100 = A, 90-91 = A-, 88-89 = B+, 82-87 = B, 80-81 = B-, …, 60-61 = D-, 0-59 = F)

Attendance: Don’t miss class. If you miss class, you are responsible for the material covered during your absence. If you miss a quiz, test/exam, or workshop, you must bring in documentation proving that you absence is excusable or otherwise receive a zero. If a make-up quiz/test/exam is granted, it must be made up before the next quiz/test/exam.

Help! If you need help, please come to my office hours. If you are in Walker Hall and my office door is open, please feel free to stop by and ask questions – even if it’s not during my posted office hours. Also, you should be aware of the Math Lab – free tutoring for Math 2240 (and other math classes). More information about the Math Lab can be found at https://mathsci.appstate.edu/Student/Mathlab/.

Academic Integrity Code: Of course you are expected to abide by the Academic Integrity Code which can be found here at https://studentconduct.appstate.edu/.

Accommodations: Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at https://www.ods.appstate.edu/ or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.