Math 214: Linear Systems -- Syllabus for Spring 2000

MWF 1:30-2:25, Fowler 112

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, and due in the following class meeting. You are strongly encouraged to work with others on HW; but you must write it up in your own words. Copying is cheating, and I have zero tolerance for it!

Labs: About once every two 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.

Quizzes: I am not at this point planning on giving quizzes, but if I see the need for it, I will start giving quizzes about once every other week. They will count as up to 20% of the grade, in which case we will have only two instead of three midterms.

Midterms: There will be three midterms, probably during the 4th, 7th, and 11th weeks of the semester. I will announce the exact dates 1-2 weeks in advance.

Final : The final exam will be on Thursday May 4th, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Please make sure you do not have any time conflicts (or travel plans) with this date and time, as I do not give early or late finals!

Make-ups:

• I do not accept late homework. But you can have up to three of your lowest homework scores (including zeroes for late or missed homework) dropped by doing extra credit problems and presenting them to me in my office.
• I do not give make-up exams. 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 work will count proportionally more.

E-mail: When necessary, I will make announcements via the class mailing list, instead of in the classroom. You are responsible for reading your email everyday!