Math 415: Applied Linear Algebra, Spring 2009

Section B13/B14 meeting MWF 9:00-9:50 am in Room 156, Henry Admin. Building

Introduction

• Instructor: John Mackay

  Office: 337 Illini Hall,
  Phone: (217)244-4697,
  Email: jmmackay at illinois dot edu

• Course website: http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~jmmackay/09s-415.html
• Prerequisites: Math 241 (Calculus III) or equivalent.
• Office hours: 4-6pm Monday, or by arrangement.
• Textbook: Applied Linear Algebra, P.J.Olver and C.Shakiban, Pearson 2006.
• Homework assignments and week-to-week schedule.
• See the exams page for details about finals week office hours.

In this course we study the techniques and results of linear algebra, with applications. Linear algebra is an essential tool of modern engineering, physics, computer science, and other fields.

Topics include matrix operations, determinants, linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors, inner products and norms, orthogonality, equilibrium, and linear dynamical systems.

Homework

There will be weekly homework assignments, collected at the start of class on Wednesdays. The first homework assignment will be due the second week of class.

You are free (and encouraged) to work with fellow students on the homework problems. However, you must write up your final solutions by yourself.
On each assignment write one of the following statements:

• "I did not work with anyone else."
• "I worked with [...]."

Your lowest homework score will be dropped.

Exams

There will be three hour long exams in class, and a final. The class exams are set to be on February 25, April 1, April 29 in class.

(Note that this is provisional and may be adjusted as the semester progresses.)

The final will be on 8:00–11:00 AM, Thursday, May 14, and will cover all the material we have seen on the course.

Grades

Your grade will be determined as follows:

20% homework, 3 * 15% hour exams, 35% final.

Letter grades will be assigned according to: A-/A/A+ 90%, B-/B/B+ 80%, C-/C/C+ 70%, D/D+ 60%, F for less than 60%. This may be adjusted downwards if necessary.

I reserve the right to give a lower grade in exceptional circumstances, such as failing to complete multiple homework assignments, or missing exams without reason. Cheating may result in a substantially lower grade, or even an F.

Other policies

If you are ill or otherwise unable to complete an assignment on time, or take an exam, please get a letter from the dean's office (http://www.odos.uiuc.edu/).

To insure that disability-related concerns are properly addressed from the beginning, students with disabilities who require assistance to participate in this class, or alternative exam arrangements, are asked to contact me as soon as possible.

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