Prerequisite: Math 2240 (Linear Algebra) or Math 3110 (Modern Algebra)
Text:
Supplementary Texts: Here are a couple of other supplementary texts...
Web Page: My webpage is located here:
https://BillCookMath.com
and
our course webpage is located here: https://BillCookMath.com/courses/math5230-fall2022.
Meeting times: We meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 12:00pm until 12:50pm in Walker 308.
Final Exam: Our final exam will be held in our regular classroom (Walker 308) on Monday, December 12th from 11:00am until 1:30pm.
Lecturer:
| Name: | Dr. William (Bill) Cook |
| Office: | Walker Hall 347
or via Zoom [Please call my office for the Zoom password and to make sure I have joined the meeting.] |
| Office hours: | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday between classes:
9:00am to 11:00am Other times by appointment. |
| Phone: | (828) 262-2367 |
| Email: | cookwj@appstate.edu |
| Webpage: | https://BillCookMath.com |
Technology:
You are welcome to use any technology at your disposal to complete out of class assignments.
Calculators and other computer technology will not be allowed on exams or quizzes unless otherwise specified.
We will probably have a mixture or technology assisted and unassisted exams.
What technology should we use to do linear algebra computations? This is a tricky question to answer.
If you are doing numeric calculations, MatLab (Matrix Laboratory) or its open source counterpart Octave are excellent choices. If you are doing symbolic (or exact) calculations, computer algebra systems (CAS) such as Mathematica and Maple are natural choices.
Conveniently, we have universitywide access to both Maple and Mathematica. However, sometimes it's
easiest to do quick and dirty calculations on a graphing calculator (I have several such emulators
installed on my smartphone).
For this class, I have put a Maple 2022 download link and
activation code in our AsULearn course page. Also,
I have put a SAGE linear algebra sandbox on my website. (SAGE is an open source CAS).
Course Topics:
The course catalog says, "A study of finite dimensional vector spaces. Topics covered may
include matrices, linear transformations, change of basis,
eigenvalues, canonical forms, quadratic forms and quasi-inverses."
Graduate students will eventually have to take a comprehensive exam based on some of the material covered
in this course. The comprehensive exam will focus on "core" material and will avoid most of the more advanced
topics that we cover.
Your term grade will be based on the results of your exams as well as your scores on quizzes, homework, presentation, and participation. Here is more information about the individual components of your grade:
Tests & Final Exam: There will be two tests and a "Big Quiz". The first test, the "Computation Test", will cover linear algebra "basics". Essentially we'll review undergraduate linear algebra for a few weeks and then make sure everyone is up to speed before we move on. The second test will be your "Almost Final Exam" covering the bulk of the course. This exam will probably consist of both an in class and take home portion. I will throw in a "Big Quiz" somewhere between the Computation Test and Almost Final Exam to help gauge where we are along the way. The Computation Test will make up 20% of your term grade. The Almost Final Exam will make up 30% of your final grade. The Big Quiz will make up 10% of your term grade.
Homework & Quizzes: I plan on posting a list of suggested homework problems from our texts – 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. I will regularly assign sets of homework problems to be turned in for a grade. We may have a few (extra) short quizzes (if needed). I encourage you to work on your homework 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 homeworks and quizzes will make up 30% of your term grade.
Participation & Final Presentations: Instead of having a final exam we will have final presentations. Everyone will pick a topic to present (this topic will have to be approved and should be an extension or application of something we covered in class). I will require that you create a nice handout and a few slides to go with your presentation. We will have presentations during the final exam period. Also, I expect you to come to class and participate in discussions. I may periodically ask you to present a homework problem.
Here are the components of the term grade with their weights:
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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 your 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.
Fine Print: Copies of the academic integrity code, disability services information, religious observance policies can be found at https://academicaffairs.appstate.edu/resources/syllabi-policy-and-statement-information.