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Current Lectures:
MA244
MA508
Archived Lectures:
MA515
MA526
MA626
MA614
MA201
MA502
MA506
DMS
UAH
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| Professor: |
Dr. Ravindran |
| Lecture Room: |
Shelby Center 050 |
| Lecture Time: |
MWF 10:20am-11:15am |
| Office Hours: |
MWF 3 - 5:00 p.m
or by appointment. |
MA 244: Introduction to Linear Algebra
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Textbook
The text is Introductory Linear Algebra, an Applied First Course, 8'th edition by Bernard Kolman and David Hill, published by Prentice Hall (2005). The software package MATLAB is used in this course.
Goals
Goals include
- a basic understanding of the special language, notation, and point of
view of linear algebra
- a basic understanding of the key concepts of linear independence, span,
basis, and dimension
- an improved ability to think abstractly, in particular a basic
understanding of an abstract algebraic structure defined by a set of axioms
- the ability to solve basic computational problems involving matrices and
systems of linear equations.
- the ability to construct simple proofs
- a basic understanding of the central importance of linear algebra in
other areas of mathematics
- an improved ability to read, write, speak, and think in mathematical terms
Topics
General topics include
-
systems of linear equations and their solution by Gaussian elimination
- vectors and the inner product operation
- the algebra of matrices and the determinant of a matrix
- eigenvalues and eigenvectors of matrices
- similarity and diagonalization of matrices
- abstract vector spaces
- linear independence, span, basis, and dimension
- linear transformations on vector spaces and their associated matrices and subspaces
- special properties of symmetric matrices
- applications, particularly to geometry and calculus
- the use of the MATLAB computer algebra system
Prerequisites
MA 172
or MA 120
Course policies
Midterm examinations
There will be three 55 minute, in-class examinations during the semester.
These are scheduled for September 22, October 20 and November 17.
Final examination
There will be a comprehensive final examination on December 3 from
8:00--10:30 a.m.
Quizzes
I will give quizes every Monday and
this average will count 20% of
your grade. Your need to do all of the homework assignments on
regular basis to be
able to do well in this class.
Quizzes that are not picked up in class the
the day I return them will be kept in my office. Please stop by
to pick up your old quizzes.
Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly in your lecture sessions, but not collected.
.
Course grading
Each student's grade will be based on the individual grades
from exams and assignments. The approximate percentage weights
are as follows:
Grade Weights
| Item |
Approx.
Weight |
| Three Mid-term Exam(s) |
50% |
| Final Exam |
30% |
| Quizzes |
20% |
| Total |
100% |
Grading Scale
| A |
90.0 - 100% |
| B |
80.0 - 89.9% |
| C |
70.0 - 79.9% |
| D |
60.0 - 69.9% |
| F |
Below 60.0% |
Homework
| Section |
Exercises |
| 1.1 |
TBA |
| 1.2 |
....... |
| 1.3 |
...... |
| 1.4 |
...... |
| 1.6 |
...... |
| 1.7 |
.......
|
| 3.1 |
.......
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| 3.2 |
........
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| 4.1 |
........
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| 4.2 |
.........
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| 4.3 |
.........
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| 6.1 |
.........
|
| 6.2 |
.........
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| 6.3 |
.........
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| 6.4 |
.........
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| 6.5 |
.........
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| 6.6 |
.........
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| 6.7 |
.........
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| 6.8 |
........
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| 6.9 |
........
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| 8.1 |
.........
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| 8.2 |
...... |
| 8.3 |
... |
You should read the chapter sections before class on the day indicated.
Homework will be assigned weekly in the class, but not collected.
You should consider the homework
assignments as a minimal exercise. If you don't feel confident after doing
the given homework, please
do some additional exercises in the textbook. The more exercises you do,
the better off you will be. You are encouraged to discuss homework
problems with your fellow students, especially in a group setting.
Student Responsibilities
Class attendance, preparation, and participation are required.
Students having difficulties
should seek assistance from the instructor. Students are encouraged to
work together on problems that will not be graded. Students are expected
to be honest and ethical at all times.
Tardiness and class cutting are a
disruption of a good learning environment and are to be discouraged.
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should
1) register with and provide
documentation to the Student Development Services Office,
and 2) bring a letter to the instructor from SDSO indicating you need academic
accommodations. This should be done within the first week of class.
Announcements
FINAL EXAM
8:00-10:30 am, December 3
Some usefull links
Student web to obtain grades etc.
Faculty web to post grades etc.
Thinking of a career in applied mathematics?
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