Class Time: Monday 6:20p - 9:00p, Humanities 129.
Instructor: Dr. Corbett Redden. Corbett [dot] Redden [att] liu.edu. Office: Winnick House 233. Phone 516-299-3487.
Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday 12:30p - 2:00p, or by appointment.
Course webpage: http://myweb.liu.edu/~dredden/615f19/
Homework: http://myweb.liu.edu/~dredden/615f19/Homework.html
Textbook: Linear Algebra (3rd edition) by Jim Hefferon. This is an open-source textbook, and you can download it freely at the above link. A nicely bound paperback copy can be purchased from Amazon for only $22. Please do not use the departmental printers to print the entire book (approximately 500 pages).
Mathematica: We will make regular use of the computer algebra software Mathematica. Details will follow on how to install Mathematica, use it, and electronically turn in assignments.
Grading Scheme:
| Homework/Participation | 25% |
| Quizzes | 25% |
| Midterm Test | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
Homework: I will assign weekly homework. Most of the problems will be worked out on paper (with the aid of a calculator or computer if desired). Periodically, I will assign small projects to be completed with Mathematica.
Quizzes: There will be regular short quizzes covering the material from the homework that is due. These will be graded and returned the following week. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Midterm: There will be an in-class midterm test. The date will be announced soon.
Final Exam: The final examination will be CUMULATIVE, and will occur during the usual class time on Monday December 16. The final will comprise 30% of your course grade, though the instructor reserves the right to count the final as an even higher percentage for those students whose final exam grade is better than their test average.
Attendance/Participation: You are required to attend class every week and be an active participant. While I will not keep rigorous attendance records, excessive absences or lack of effort will result in a lower final grade.
Official course description from the Graduate Bulletin: This course includes the study of real vector spaces, linear dependence and independence and bases. Linear transformations, matrices, determinants, and linear equations are also included. Co-requisite of Math 631 (or instructor's approval) is required. (3 credits)
Help: You are welcome to see Prof. Redden in office hours, by appointment, or to ask short questions via email. You are also encouraged to work with others on homework. Explaining concepts and techniques to fellow classmates is an excellent way for you to better understand them yourself.
DSS statement: If you are a student with a documented disability, medical condition, or think you may have a disability, and will need accommodations, academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, or other services, please contact Marie Fatscher in Disability Support Services (Post Hall, Lower Level, C10) at 516-299-3057 or marie.fatscher@liu.edu to request services, accommodations or for additional information. Additional information is also available on the DSS website: www.liu.edu/post/dss. The Center for Healthy Living offers supportive psychological and nutritional services Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm and is located in Post Hall, Lower Level - South Entrance (parking lot side of building.) Additional information is available by emailing post-healthyliving@liu.edu or calling Lynne Schwartz at (516) 299-4162.
Course Goals: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: use row reduction to solve systems of linear equations, and apply this knowledge to real-world problems; work with the abstract notion of vector spaces; write correct proofs for properties of vector spaces and related structures (including linear dependance, linear spans, basis, dimension); conceptually understand linear maps, and perform calculations via choice of basis; utilize change of basis formulas.
Important Dates:
| Sept 9 | First class |
| Sept 17 | Last day to add/drop or late register |
| Oct 14 | Columbus Day. No classes. |
| Nov 8 | Last day to opt for P/F or withdraw |
| Dec 9 | Last class |
| Dec 16 | Final Exam |