Syllabus
Math 20F Winter 2006 Linear Algebra

Instructor:  Gabriel Nagy

Course:  Math 20F

Title:  Linear Algebra

Credit Hours:  4

Prerequisite:  Math 20C (or Math 21C) or equivalent with a grade of C- or better

Catalog Description:  Matrix algebra, solution of systems of linear equations by Gaussian elimination, determinants.  Linear and affine subspaces, bases of Euclidean spaces.  Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, quadratic forms, orthogonal matrices, diagonalization of symmetric matrices.  Applications.  Computing symbolic and graphical solutions using MATLAB.  (Zero units given if Math. 2EA previously. Formerly numbered 2EA.)

Textbook: Linear Algebra and Its Applications, third edition, by David C. Lay; published by Pearson Education; 2003

Subject Material:  We shall cover parts of chapters 1 - 7 of the text. A more detailed list may be found by consulting the calendar and the list of assigned homework problems.

Reading:  Reading the sections of the textbook corresponding to the assigned homework exercises is considered part of the homework assignment and it will be expected that you read the assigned material in advance of each lecture. You are responsible for material in the assigned reading whether or not it is discussed in the lecture.

MATLAB:  MATLAB assignments will be assigned weekly and should be turned in to your TA during the Tuesday discussion section on the due date indicated on the homework page; no late assignments will be accepted.  Your cumulative MATLAB grade will be based on the best  6  of the  8  MATLAB assignments.  The Thursday lab section is scheduled so that you may get help with MATLAB from your TA.  You are expected to make use of the lab sections; questions specific to the operation of MATLAB will likely not be answered outside of the lab sections.  You may discuss the MATLAB assignments with your instructor, TAs, and other students in the class; however, the assignment you turn in must be your own:  A plagiarized assignment will be considered evidence of academic dishonesty.

Homework:  Homework will be assigned on the course homework page and should be completed by the discussion section on the indicated due date.  Homework will not be collected; your homework will be evaluated by your performance on periodic quizzes.  You should make every effort to complete the homework assignments and seek help with problems you have not been able to solve.

Quizzes:  There will be four (4) quizzes given during the lecture on certain Fridays; please see the course calendar for the dates of the quizzes.  Each quiz will consist of two or three problems taken directly from the assigned homework; however, the numerical data may be changed. You will be allowed twenty (20) minutes to complete each quiz.  Your cumulative quiz grade will be based on the best  3  of the  4  quizzes.  No notes, books, or calculators will be allowed during the quizzes.  There will be no early or makeup quizzes.

Midterm Exams:  There will be two (2) midterm exams.  See the course calendar for the dates of the midterm exams.  You may bring with you  to the midterm exams one 8.5 by 11 inch handwritten sheet of notes; no other notes (or books) or calculators will be allowed.  There will be no early or makeup exams.

Final Exam:  The final examination will be held at the following date and time:

You may bring one 8.5 by 11 inch handwritten sheet of notes with you to the final examination; no other notes (or books) or calculators will be allowed. Bring your personal photo ID to the exam. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have a schedule conflict involving the final examination; you should not enroll in this class if you cannot take the final examination at its scheduled time.

Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your cumulative average at the end of the term and will be based on the following scale:

A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D
97 93 90 87 83 80 77 73 70 60

We may adjust the scale to be more lenient, but we guarantee that the grade corresponding to a given percentage will not be lower than specified by the above scale. Your course grade will be based on the maximum of the following two weighted averages.
In addition,  you must pass the final examination in order to pass the course.  Note:  Since there are no makeup exams, if you miss the midterm exam for any reason, your course grade will be based on the weighted average that counts the final examination 60%.

Academic Dishonesty:  Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense at UCSD. Students caught cheating may face failure in the course and an administrative sanction which may include suspension or expulsion from the university.


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