A grade of C- or better in MATH 311 (Calculus III) is the prerequisite for this course. This course may also be taken concurrently with MATH 311. MATH 310 (Introduction to Proofs) is recommended as well.
Dr. Buchanan
Office: Wickersham 216, Phone: 872-3659, FAX: 871-2320
Office Hours: 10:00AM-10:50AM (MTu_ThF), or by appointment
Email: Robert.Buchanan@millersville.edu
Course URL: http://banach.millersville.edu/~bob/math322
Howard Anton and Chris Rorres, Elementary Linear Algebra: Applications Version, (8th edition), New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000, ISBN 0-471-117052-6.
An introduction to linear algebra: matrices, row reduction, inverses of matrices, determinants, solution theory for systems of equations, Euclidean vector spaces, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization, abstract vector spaces and linear transformations.
- Learn the basic algorithms for matrix computation.
- Understand the solution theory for systems of linear equations, and its connection with matrix algebra.
- Learn about the major structures and techniques of linear algebra, such as determinants, inner products, and eigenvectors.
- Learn about abstract vector spaces and linear transformations.
- Improve ability to read and compose proofs in abstract mathematical symbolism in the context of a specific area of mathematics.
- Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices
- Determinants
- Euclidean Vector Spaces
- General Vector Spaces
- Inner Product Spaces
- Eigenvalues, Eigenvectors
- Linear Transformations
Other topics may be covered, time or interest permitting.
The topic of ``Vectors in 2-space and 3-space,'' will not be covered since that material is part of MATH 311 (Calculus III). Students should review this material on their own as necessary.
Students are expected to attend all class meetings. There is an inverse correlation between a student's number of absences and final grade. This is due to the fact that daily contact with the material is essential to understanding Linear Algebra. Getting the material second hand from someone else's notes is simply not the same as hearing it for yourself. If you must be absent from class you are expected to complete class requirements (tests and/or homework assignments) prior to the absence. Students who miss a test should provide a valid excuse, otherwise you will not be allowed to make up the test. Tests should be made up within one week of their scheduled date. No final exam exemptions.
Students are expected to do their homework and participate in class. Specially marked homework problems will be collected frequently and graded. Late homework will not be accepted. Solutions to all assigned homework exercises will be placed under the ``Homework Solutions'' link on the course URL.
Students should expect to spend a minimum of twelve hours per week reviewing notes taken during class and working assigned homework exercises. Preparation for the tests and final exam will require additional hours of study. Students will find it beneficial to review all lecture notes and other relevant material collected from the beginning of the semester until the present time at least once per week.
There will be three 50-minute in-class tests and a comprehensive final examination. The tests are tentatively scheduled for
- Thursday, February 8, 2007
- Thursday, March 8, 2007
- Friday, April 20, 2007
The final examination is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2007, from 8:00AM-10:00AM. I will not ``curve'' test or exam grades.
Course grade will be calculated as follows.
| Tests | 51% |
| Exam | 30% |
| Homework | 19% |
Tests and the final examination will be graded individually on a
100-point scale.
If a student believes that an error was made in the grading of an
assignment or test,
the student should explain in writing
why they believe an error exists and submit the graded material and
the explanation of the possible error to me within 3 class periods
of the graded test or homework being returned to the student.
In no cases will adjustments to grades of less than 3 points be made.
I keep a record of students' test and exam scores.
Students should also keep a record of graded
assignments, tests, and other materials.
As an example of the calculation of the numerical course grade,
suppose a student's four test grades were 87, 78, 65, and 70 (out of a
maximum of 100 points on each test), the student's final examination
grade was 71 (again, out of a maximum of 100).
Suppose seven homework assignment were collected and the student's
grades were 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, and 
.
This hypothetical student's numerical course grade would be calculated
according to the formula
The course letter grades will be calculated as follows. I will not ``curve'' course grades.
| 90-92 | A |
93-100 | A | ||
| 80-82 | B |
83-86 | B | 87-89 | B |
| 70-72 | C |
73-76 | C | 77-79 | C |
| 60-62 | D |
63-66 | D | 67-69 | D |
| 0-59 | F |
An undergraduate student may not take an undergraduate course of
record more than three times.
A course of record is defined as a
course in which a student receives a grade of A, B, C, D, (including
and ) F, U, Z or W.
The academic department offering a course may
drop a student from a course if the student attempts to take a course
more than three times.1
If we should miss a class day due to a school closing because of weather, any activities planned for that missed day will take place the next time the class meets. For example, if a test is scheduled for a day that class is canceled on account of snow, the test will be given the next time the class meets.
Math is not a spectator sport. What you learn from this course and your final grade depend mainly on the amount of work you put forth. Daily contact with the material through homework assignments and review of notes taken during lectures is extremely important.
No one can guarantee you success in this course. Your responsibilities and the instructor's expectation are outlined above. There will be no second chances or ``do-overs''.