Schedule and notes:

Course Number and Title: Math 340-01
Semester: Fall 2009
Credit Hours: Three (3)
Prerequisites:  Math 175 or permission of instructor

Text: "Linear Algebra and its Applications", 3rd edition, by David C. Lay.  ISBN: 0534466656

Office Hours:
OPEN: MW: 09:00 - 11:45
BY APPOINTMENT: As necessary

Note: OPEN office hours are done on a first-come first-serve basis. I will make every effort to be in my office at these times, and to let students know in advance when I am unable to do so. BY APPOINTMENT office hours are just that: you must make prior arrangements to meet with me at a time that works for both of us. If no appointments are made, it may be the case that I will be out of my office without notice. If you are unable to make any of my posted office hours, see me about making other arrangements. I am very flexible in this regard, as long as appointments are made in advance. If you wish to contact me by phone, please, do so during my posted office hours if at all possible. I read my e-mail several times daily, so this is a very reliable means to contact me. My homepage contains a link to this class, which includes a daily calendar.  If you miss a class session, look here first to see what was covered and any assignment made.

Calculators: A Voyage 200 Calculator/CAS is required for this course.  All students in the course pay a $30 fee for the use of this calculator at time of registration.  If you do choose to provide your own calculator, your $30 fee will be refunded through the Division office.   If you drop this course, you must return your rented calculator at that time.  Failure to do so will result in an academic hold being put on all of your student records.   I consider a student to have dropped the course for Voyage 200 return purposes once he/she has missed an hour exam without contacting me.  Academic holds will be put on student records at this time, even if the student has not officially dropped the course.

Class Meeting Times:  MW 07:30 - 08:45 Activity Center West Room 135

Purpose:  This is an introductory course in linear algebra, with a special focus on applications in science and engineering.  Each section, beginning with an introduction to linear systems and matrices, and ending with a study of eigenvalue problems includes heavy emphasis on applications.  The nature of linear algebra is such that it lends itself well to solutions using computer technology.  We will be doing this extensively.  The Voyage 200 is a very powerful hand-held computer that can handle nicely all of the computer needs described in our text.

Methods of Instruction: Course content is delivered primarily by lectures.  The lecture sessions are very informal, and students are expected to interact throughout.  They should feel free to ask questions or interject comments at any time they feel it appropriate.  Instruction on the Voyage 200 will be on an as needed basis, delivered in conjunction with the mathematical concepts being addressed at the moment.  Most students find the calculator very intuitive. 

Homework is fundamental to the learning of mathematics. Time will be reserved at the start of each class period for the discussion of homework problems or readings. Students should not leave a particular homework assignment until they are reasonably certain they understand every problem given. There is an expectation that students work cooperatively on homework, either with each other, the personnel in the math lab (MLH 320), or with me in office hours.

Methods of Evaluation: Students will be assigned homework routinely, with homework cumulatively counting for 30% of the final course grade. No late homework will be accepted for any reason whatsoever. Three homework assignments will be disregarded in determining a final homework grade.

A total of four hour-exams will be given, each equally weighted, and cumulatively accounting for 70% of the final course grade.  No makeup exams will be given for any reason whatsoever. Students who know of an exam conflict in advance must make arrangements to take the examination prior to its being administered to the rest of the class. Students who miss an examination for an unforeseeable reason, such as last minute illness or emergency, must make arrangements with the instructor to compensate for the missing grade. 

The minimum score for each grade is : A 92; A- 89; B+ 86; B 82; B- 79; C+ 76; C 72; C- 69; D+66; D 60.  Grades below 60 will be scored as F.  For those students required to get a 2.0 or better in this course, it should be noted that a grade of C- is insufficient.  A grade of at least C must be achieved.

Disability Statement: If course adaptations or accommodations are needed because of a disability, if you need to make me aware of emergency medical information, or if you need special arrangements in case of building evacuation, please contact me immediately. I ask that you put any request in this regard in writing.