Syllabus for Math 2240 – Introduction to Linear Algebra
Section 101

Spring 2011

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. $15 -- 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-spring2011.

Meeting times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30am – 10:45am in Walker Hall room 314 (unless otherwise announced).

Final Exam: Our final exam will be held on Monday, May 2^nd from 9:00am – 11:30am.

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”) and graphing calculators. 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 graphing calculators during your last two tests and final exam. However, you will not be allowed to use calculators during your first two tests and certain 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-spring2011/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 four tests and a cumulative final exam. 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 may assign several homework projects. I encourage you to work on these projects and suggested homework problems with your classmates. However, any work you turn in must be written up by yourself.  Do NOT copy your collaborators work and turn it in as your own.

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: As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty. This course will follow the provisions of the Academic Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site: www.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. If you have a disability and may need reasonable accommodations in order to have equal access to the University's courses, programs and activities, please contact the Office of Disability Services (828.262.3056 or www.ods.appstate.edu ). Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.

Religious Observance Policy:

• Students must be allowed a minimum of two excused absences each academic year for religious observances. Students are responsible for requesting excused absences for religious observances required by the faith of a student.
• The term "religious observances" shall include religious holidays or holy days or similar observances required by a student's religion and that require absence from class.
• Students must be afforded the opportunity to make up tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance.
• Except in extraordinary circumstances, student requests for excused absences for religious observances must be submitted to instructors in writing no later than three weeks after the first class day of the term.