Class Meetings: MWF 11:30-12:25, Fowler 316

Text: Gilbert Strang, Introduction to linear algebra, Second Edition. We will cover Chapters 1-5, and some of Chapter 6.

Homework: HW will be assigned in every class meeting, due two class meetings later (but you should pretend it's due the next class meeting, so that you can ask questions on it). You are strongly encouraged to work with others on HW; but you must write it up alone, in your own words. Copying is cheating, and I have zero tolerance for it! Doing HW is essential to learning mathematics. You must take it seriously, and should expect to spend 2-3 hours every other day on it.

Labs: About once every three weeks there will be a lab assignment. These assignments will involve the use of computers, and a software package called MATLAB, which you will learn how to work with. We will not be able to use class time for the labs, but you are welcome to seek my help outside of class.

Midterms: There will be three midterms, on the following tentative dates: Friday 21 September, Wednesday 17 October, Wednesday 14 November. Changes to these dates, if any, will be announced one to two weeks in advance.

Final : The final exam will be on Friday, 14 December, 8:30-11:30 AM. Please make sure you do not have any exams or other plans (including travel plans) that conflict with this date and time; I do not give early or late finals!

Make-ups:

• Late homework will not be accepted. But you can make up for up to three missed or late homework assignments by completing each missed or late assignments within one week of when it was due and presenting it during office hours -- do not turn it in with your regular homework. You can do at most one make-up assignment during the last week of classes, and none after the last class day.
• No make-up exams will be given. If you miss a midterm with a valid excuse (e.g., a medical reason), and provide documentation for it, that midterm will simply not count for you—instead, all your other exams will count proportionally more.

Attendance: You are responsible for everything that goes on in every class meeting, such as announcements, handouts, taught topics that are not in the book, etc.  This means even if you miss a class for say a medical reason, it is your responsibility to contact me and find out what you missed.

E-mail: When necessary, I will make announcements via the class mailing list, instead of in the classroom. You are expected to check your email at least once a day. You are encouraged to use our class email list math214-L@oxy.edu to send messages to everyone in the class.