Math 231 - Linear Algebra

Instructor: Brian Lins
Class Times & Location: MTWF 12:30-12:20 Bagby 111
Office Hours: See my weekly schedule, and also by appointment.
Text: Linear Algebra and its Applications, 3rd Edition, by David C. Lay.

Announcements

Course Materials

Tentative Schedule

The schedule below is tentative, and may be subject to change. Changes will be announced in class, and you are responsible for knowing about any changes even if you miss the class when they are announced.

Course Description

Math 231 will cover chapters 1-6, on linear systems, matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces, eigenvectors/eigenvalues, orthogonality and least-squares techniques. We will also cover applications as time permits.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in this class is required. Repeated absences may result in a forced withdrawal from the course. You are responsible for any material you miss due to absence. Please let me know ahead of time if you know that you will not be able to attend class.

Grading Policy

The term grade will be based on the results of the examinations, the scores on homework quizzes, and on a final group presentation.

  Homework Quizzes     25%  
  Midterm 1     15%  
  Midterm 2     15%  
  Midterm 3     15%  
  Final Exam     30%  

Exams

There will be three in-class midterm exams and a cumulative final. The exams will be closed book and calculators will not be permitted.

Homework & Quizzes

Homework problems will be assigned after every lecture. You are expected to complete all problems assigned. The assigned problems will not be collected however. Instead, every Wednesday there will be a homework quiz during which you must copy problems from your homework to the quiz. You may also have to solve an additional problem similar to the homework problems. You may not use your textbook during the homework quizzes, but you may use your homework and notes. There are no make-up quizzes. The lowest homework quiz grade will be dropped from your average. As with the exams, no calculators are allowed during the quizzes, however you are encouraged to use a calculator computer when you do the homework.

Special Accommodations

In compliance with the Hampden-Sydney College policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be recommended for students with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made at the beginning of the semester (except for unusual circumstances) so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Students are required to contact the Office of Academic Success in order to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations.