MAT 310 Fall 09

MAT 310

Linear Algebra
Fall 2009

Welcome to MAT 310!

This course covers the basic concepts of linear algebra, including abstract vector spaces, linear transformations, inner product spaces, dual spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and related topics. A fair amount of the material is similar to that in MAT 211. However, the viewpoint here is more abstract and is oriented more toward conceptual understanding than calculations. It will be important for you to understand logical structures and thinking, and learn how to value and understand theorems and proofs. In both homeworks and exams, you will be expected to "do proofs".

Instructor: Michael Anderson, Math 4-110
Classes: MF 2:20-3:40 Library W4525
Email: anderson@math.sunysb.edu
Office Hours: Tu/W/Th, 1-2pm

TA. Benjamin Balsam, Math 3-104
Recitation 1: Tu, 3:50-4:45pm, SB Union 226
Recitation 2: M, 9:35-10:30am, Lgt. Eng. 152
Email: balsam@math.sunysb.edu
Office Hours: M: 2-4 in Math MLC, Tu: 4:45-5:45 in Math 3-104

Announcements:

The Final Exam is in the usual lecture room: Library W4525,at the scheduled time: Monday, Dec. 14, 5:15-7:45.
Here is a list of problems for a Practice Final Exam.
Practice Final Exam
Here is the list of Extra Credit Projects. Please read the instructions and rules carefully before deciding whether to work on a project or not. Your main focus should be on preparing for and doing well on the Final Exam; the Projects are an extra back-up but won't erase a poor performance on the exam.
Extra Credit Projects
Here are some Midterm Practice Exams. They are midterms from earlier years of MAT 310. Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3
There are no classes on Monday, Sept. 28, (Yom Kippur). However, the next day, Tuesday, is considered as a Monday for classes. So we have "Monday" recitation and lecture on Tuesday, Sept 29.
New HW Policy: HW is now due on Wednesdays, at 2:30pm in the manila envelopes at Ben Balsam's office. You can also hand them in during your Monday or Tuesday recitation.
The Midterm Exam is on Monday, Oct. 19, in the lecture class. The lecture the Friday before, Friday, Oct. 16, will be a review class for the exam, and will be led by Ben Balsam.

Textbook: Sheldon Axler, Linear Algebra Done Right, Second Edition
Springer, 1997, ISBN 0-387-98258-2.

Prerequisites:

MAT 211 or equivalent
MAT 200 or permission of instructor

Interesting Links:

You will easily find many interesting applications, discussions, and even online texts, via an online search. Here are two:

While this is a theory-oriented course, there are many important applications of linear algebra. An interesting list is given here.
A good online (free) linear algebra text, with many worked problems and examples is here

Homework:

There will be homework assignments, listed below, due roughly once a week. The assignments will appear on this webpage about a week before their due date, and are to be handed in to your TA. New Policy: Homeworks are due on Wednesdays, by 2:30pm, in the envelopes by Ben Balsam's office. Alternately, you can hand in your HW in your recitation session (either Monday or Tuesday).

You can't expect to do well in this class without giving serious attention to doing the homework assignments. You may work together with other students on the homework. However, you must write up the homework solutions individually, on your own and not just copy another's work.

You are also likely to learn much better and faster if you read the material in the text before coming to the lecture. You'll understand it much better the second time round; if not, ask questions!

Schedule and Homework Assignments:

Week Of	Chapter	Homework Problems	On Page	Due
Sept 1	1	1,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,13,14,15	19	Sept 14/15
Sept 14	2	1,2,3,4,6,8,10,11,12,14	35	Sept 21/22
Sept 21	3	1,2,3,4,5,7,9,10,11	59	Sept 29
Sept 28	3	12,13,17,19,26	59	Oct 7
Oct 5	5	1,2,5,6,8,12,18,19	94	Oct 14
Oct 19	5	HW 6 PDF file	--	Oct 28
Oct 26	6	HW 7 PDF file	--	Nov 4
Nov 2	6/7	HW 8 PDF file	--	Nov 11
Nov 9	7	HW 9 PDF file	--	Nov 18
Nov 23	8	HW 10 PDF file	--	Dec 2
Nov 30	8/10	HW 11 PDF file	--	Dec 9

Exams:

Midterm	Date: Monday, Oct 19	In Class
Final	Monday, Dec. 14, 5:15-7:45pm	Room: Library W4525

There will be no scheduled make-up exams for the Midterm and Final. In particular, schedule conflicts are not an acceptable reason for missing an exam. Only if a student misses an exam for unforseeable circumstances beyond the student's control will alternate arrangments be considered.

Grading:

Homework: 30%
Midterm: 30%
Final : 40%

The Math Learning Center, located in room S-240A of the Math-Tower basement, may be a useful source of help if you have difficulties with your homework or with understanding other aspects of the course. For more information about the Math Learning Center, visit their web-site.

If you have a physical, psychiatric, medical, or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out the assigned course work, please contact the office of Disability Support Services (DSS) at (631) 632-6748 or DSS. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following website: EHS

The Undergraduate Council has asked that the statement below be included in each course syllabus.
Each student must pursue his or her academic goals and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. ANy suspected instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Judiciary. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonest, please refer to the Academic Judiciary website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/academicjudiciary/

MAT 310 Linear Algebra Fall 2009

MAT 310

Linear Algebra
Fall 2009