Lynchburg College SPRING 2020 Syllabus for MATH 307 Linear Algebra

Instructor: Dr. Kevin Peterson
Text: (provided by instructor:) David C. Lay, "Linear Algebra and its Applications", 2^nd Ed, Addison Wesley Longman

Office: Hobbs 314 Office Phone: (434) 544-8374 Email: peterson@lynchburg.edu

Office hours: MWF 11:00am-1:00 pm (please email to confirm) or by appointment.

Course: 307 Linear Algebra (3)

 Prerequisite: Math 260 or equivalent strongly recommended.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will meet these goals by achieving the following objectives:

• Inquire: frame questions that address issues and uncertainties across a range of disciplines. The student will:
• recognize precise and complete statements of problems.
• recognize what information is necessary in order to solve given problems.
• ask essential questions about given problems.
• ask questions for further study regarding problems and reading assignments.
• Explore: investigate issues in depth and detail. The student will:
• think creatively about possible solutions to problems.
• employ knowledge and techniques of mathematical problem solving to explore problems.
• comprehend given problems, reading assignments, and the arguments of others.
• Conclude: develop informed responses to issues. The student will:
• marshal evidence in support of a solution to a problem or conclusion in an argument.
• articulate an appropriate conclusion based on the evidence.
• Persuade: convince others of the validity and value of conclusions. The student will:
• produce precise and complete statements of solutions to problems.
• construct effective written arguments based in evidence, reason and understanding.
• deliver effective oral arguments based in evidence, reason and understanding.
• Engage: use knowledge and abilities for the good of self and society. The student will:
• describe applications of problem solving techniques in other disciplines.
• value achievements in Mathematics for their intrinsic worth.
• work effectively with other members of a group to solve problems and present their solutions.

In-class work and class participation: Bring your homework and notes to each and every class.  Everyday there will be a quiz, group work, a homework check, or other activity that may require the work from your homework.  Each of these activities will be worth "class participation" points.  It may be from any previously assigned section. Class participation, attendance, quizzes, class activities and doing the homework (on time) is more than 1/3 of your grade or 200 of 550 points. 

You may send your homework to me via email for up to 3 missed days but you will receive a zero for any missed in-class activities. Homework must be emailed to me before the beginning of the class period it is due. Late submissions are not accepted.

Students who: habitually arrive  late for class, leave early, miss class, sleep, use their phone, wear headphones/earbuds (even one), don't ask questions, don't answer questions, or are otherwise unengaged  and unprofessional in the class will receive zeros for class participation.

If a student receives 5 zeros, they will lose 100 class participation points. Students with 6 or more zeros will lose the entire 200 points.

Attendance: Attendance at each scheduled class meeting is considered mandatory. Part of your grade is based on class participation.  Because of this, “legitimate” or “excused” absences are not treated any differently in regards to missed work.  If you are not present, then you cannot contribute to the cooperative problem-solving process.

Missed Tests:  If you miss a scheduled test (with an appropriate excuse), at the end of the semester there will be a make up test day. Anyone that misses a test will take it on that day.

Email: I will regularly email the class with updates, problems, solutions, quizzes, and information about the class.  You are expected to check your email (at least) once a day (especially during times when class is cancelled).  I will always use the subject line "Math 307".  You should respond to emails (that require a response) within 24 hours as will I. 

Respectful Conduct: Everyone in the class will be respectful and considerate of others.

Talking in class: I encourage all students to participate in class discussions. Please keep all

discussions to the topic at hand. Personal conversations are disruptive and inconsiderate. Students

who frequently disrupt the class may be asked not to return.

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses and will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own (this someone may be another student, a tutor, a member of the faculty, or an author). Any student caught cheating or committing plagiarism will be subject to disciplinary action. See handbook for details.  If I believe you have cheated on an assignment you will receive a 0 on that assignment (with no make-up opportunities) or will be handled by the Student Judicial Board and may result in suspension or expulsion.

ADA Statement: University of Lynchburg is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities.  The Center for Accessibility and Disability Services (CADR) works with eligible students with disabilities (medical, physical, mental health and cognitive) to make arrangements for appropriate, reasonable accommodations.  Students registered with CADR who receive

approved accommodations are required to provide letters of accommodation each semester to each professor if they wish to use their accommodations.  A meeting to discuss accommodations the student wishes to implement in individual courses is strongly suggested.

Accommodations are not retroactive and begin when the accommodation letter is provided to faculty. For information about requesting accommodations, please visit https://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/disability-services/ or contact Julia Timmons, timmons.j@lynchburg.edu, 434-544-8339

Grades: Your course grade will be based on three main components.
1. Tests : 3 tests each worth 100 points

2. Quizzes, Projects, and Class participation: Worth a total of 200 points
3. Final comprehensive problem set: 50 points

There are 550 points possible. The grades will be given on the following scale.

A+: 545-550

A : 501-544

A-:  495-500

B+: 490-494
B : 446-489

B-: 440-445

C+: 435-439
C : 391-434

C-: 385-390

D+: 380-384
D : 336-379

D-: 330-335

Tentative Exam Schedule:
Test 1   Feb 13

Test 2   March 19
Test 3   April 23

Withdrawal Policy: If you wish to withdraw from this course, it is your responsibility to do so.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Respect for Others :

The University of Lynchburg is committed to ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are apparent through a campus community climate where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed and are treated equitably and with respect. All campus community members are expected to conduct themselves in ways that exemplify respect for people of all groups and identities adhering to personal values without unduly imposing them on others. Furthermore, campus community members should take responsibility to serve as leaders in promoting compassion for others and in challenging prejudice against all individuals and groups whether due to national origin, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, religion, race, socioeconomic status, parental status, political beliefs, sexual orientation identity, physical/mental ability, genetic information or any other self-identifiers. Campus community members are expected to respect the rights of others and at no time should they harass, assault, or violate the privacy of other persons. Victims of human rights-related incidents or witnesses to them are encouraged to report such incidents. Reports are secure, confidential, and only certain designated University officials have access to the information reported.  To report a bias incident click here, or call the Campus Conduct Hotline toll-free at 866.943.5787, or contact Dr. Robert L. Canida, II, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, at canida_rl@lynchburg.edu.

Course web page: Any modifications to the course policies and/or course syllabus will be announced on the course web page.

Portfolio:

As in Math 260 it is a good idea to create a portfolio of your work.

The goal of keeping this portfolio is:

1. To keep track and organize of all work done for this course.
2. To help you organize your work in a meaningful way so that it may be more easily studied later.
3. To help you organize your thoughts and concentrate on the important aspects of each problem.
4. To encourage you to revisit important definitions and theorems as they apply.

Useful Format:

1. Clearly label each chapter and section.
2. Include every assigned homework problem for each section.
3. Include all graded tests, quizzes, and projects from that section (at the end of the section).
4. Do not include class notes.
5. Neatly write each problem statement.
6. Write the definition of every mathematical term in the problem.
7. Write down each theorem that you needed to solve the problem.
8. Include the solution to the problem.
9. If you can not solve the problem, in a different color, write a short description of where and why you are stuck.  "I got stuck" or "couldn't get started" are not appropriate descriptions.
10. Finally, if you were stuck on a problem write down the solution after we have gone over it in class.

Chapter 1: Linear Equations in Linear Algebra

Chapter 2: Matrix Algebra

Chapter 3: Determinants

Chapter 4: Vector Spaces

Chapter 5: Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

Chapter 6: Orthogonality and Least-Squares