Textbook: Robert Messer,
Course webpage: http://www.math.msu.edu/~redden/309s11
Instructor: Dr. Corbett Redden. A318 Wells Hall. redden [att] math.msu.edu. Phone 517-353-4659. Office Hours: Mon 2-4p, Wed 2-3p, Thurs 2-3p (or drop-in or by appointment)
Class Times: Monday and Wednesday 5:30-6:50p. C215 Wells Hall.
Course objectives: This course on linear algebra focuses on proofs. For most of you, this is the first course where you encounter rigorous proofs. Several methods of writing proofs will be discussed. Upon completion of the course you are expected to present written proofs to relevant theorems and problems. During this class a special effort is made to help you understand the presented material. Please keep in mind that understanding mathematical arguments is different from memorizing the correct answer! After each class read your notes, read the section in the book, and do the assigned homework. You should do at least two hours of work outside of class (probably more) for each class section.
The course covers the following topics: vector spaces, linear systems of equations, linear independence and bases, linear transformations, determinants, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and if time permits: inner product spaces. All covered material is relevant for tests and for the final exam.
Homework: Homework will be collected in class each Monday and will be based on the previous week's material. It is essential to your understanding of what is going on in class that you work hard on them on a day-to-day basis. Your solutions must be written up neatly and logically. Remember that
Tests: Test 1 and Test 2 are ordinary midterms scheduled during regular class time. They are taken without the aid of books, notes, or calculators. There will be a third test grade, and it is your individual option whether this will be decided either by your quiz grades or by a third midterm. There are weekly recitation sessions with quizzes at the end. There will be approximately 12 quizzes, and I will drop the lowest 2 scores. For those students who choose not to participate in the recitations, you can take a third midterm (at a date to be announced during the final week of class). Finally, there is a uniform (all course sections) final exam.
| Test 1 | Wed, Feb 23 | In class |
| Test 2 | Wed, April 6 | In class |
| Test 3a | Mon, May 25, 7:15p | Wells C215 |
| Test 3b | Tues, May 26, 2:00p | Wells A204a |
| Final Exam | Tues, May 3, 10am-12pm | 041 KAC |
Recitations/Review Sessions: In order to help students in understanding and deepening the material covered in class, the math department offers 4 optional recitation sections of 90 minutes each. These will be run by the TAs Erica Shugart and Andy Melfi. Every student should sign up for a specific recitation section although they might attend any (or all). Sign up sheets will be located outside of A212 Wells Hall. Students can earn credit by participating in these recitations and by taking a 15 minute quiz at the end of each session. To receive credit students must be present during the entire recitation session. The schedule is as follows:
| Wed 1:00-2:30p | C215 Wells | Shugart |
| Wed 3:00-4:30p | C215 Wells | Melfi |
| Thur 11:00-12:30p | 113 EBH | Shugart |
| Thur 3:00-4:30p | C211 Wells | Melfi |
Grading Scheme:
| Test 1 | 100 points |
| Test 2 | 100 points |
| Test 3/Quizzes | 100 points |
| Homework | 150 points |
| Final Exam | 200 points |
| 92 - 100% | 4.0 | 64-70% | 2.0 | |
| 85 - 91% | 3.5 | 57 - 63% | 1.5 | |
| 78 - 84% | 3.0 | 50 - 56% | 1.0 | |
| 71 - 77% | 2.5 | 0 - 49% | 0.0 |
Makeup Policy: Makeups will only be given in the case of a severe medical or family emergency. A written note from an appropriate person is required (e.g. doctor, father, etc.). In such a situation, you or someone else should contact Dr. Redden as soon as possible, preferably prior to the test or exam. A test missed for a non-valid reason will result in a score of 0.
Calculators: The use of calculators is not permitted on the midterm tests or final examination. Calculators may be used on homework, however they will not be useful for large portions of the course.
Help: Help is available from a number of places and people. You are welcome to see Dr. Redden or your recitation instructor in office hours, by appointment, or ask short questions via email. Also available is the Math Learning Center (MLC), located in the A-wing lobby of Wells Hall. The undergraduate TAs who run the recitation sections will hold MLC hours (currently scheduled for) ----. Finally, you are encouraged to work with others on homework. Explaining concepts and techniques to fellow classmates is an excellent way for you to better understand them yourself.
Honor Policy: All students are expected to adhere to the University's policy concerning academic integrity. This is covered in the Spartan Life booklet. According to the handbook "...no student shall claim or submit the work of another as one's own."
Important Dates:
M 1/17 - MLK Day. No class.
W 2/23 - Test 1.
W 3/2 - Last day for withdrawal or dropping courses with no grade reported.
3/7-3/11 - Spring break. No class.
W 4/6 - Test 2.
F 4/29 - Last day of classes