MATH 129 ELEMENTARY LINEAR ALGEBRA
Fall 2022 - 3 credits
Doğan Çömez
Office: Minard 408 E24
Email: Dogan.Comez@ndsu.edu
Text: Elementary Linear Algebra, by Ron Larson, 8th edition
Lecture Hours: MWF 10:00-10:50 am (Dolve 10)
Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00 pm (or by appointment)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Course Description: Systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, lines and planes in space, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Prereq: MATH 105 or MATH 107
Course Objectives: Linear algebra is the study of rigid motions in space. It is an important branch of mathematics which provides essential tools and methods to study many mathematical structures that arise within mathematics and sciences (such as the solution spaces of problems in mathematics, engineering, the natural sciences, and social sciences). The purpose of this course is to help students learn these tools and methods in a methodical manner; develop mathematical skills needed to apply these to the problems arising within their field of study; gain increased understanding of how the concepts they learned in this and the previous mathematics courses apply to various real-world problems.
Lecture and Assessment Format: The lecture/discussion format of this course, which precludes extensive interaction with individuals during lectures, makes active participation in-class discussions and group work very valuable. It is well-known that working together cooperatively enhances learning and retention. Students are encouraged to form study-groups on their own and work together on the material covered in class, discussing problems assigned, and preparing for the tests during the semester. However, any submitted work (assignment/test) should be an individual work and be written independently; any evidence of collaboration in a submitted work or test will result in poor grade or failure.
· All course-related information will be communicated primarily during class. Reminders, notification of any schedule or assignment changes will be communicated through NDSU email and posted on course Blackboard site relevant section(s). Student NDSU email address is the official route for information.
· Students will be assigned online exercises (WebAssign) at the end of each lecture (except first and last week of classes, test days and lectures prior to tests), which are due next day by noon. Weekly quiz and Exam solutions will be posted on the course Blackboard site relevant section.
Grading: Grades in the course will reflect students' demonstrated attainment of the course objectives, and will be based on students performance on assignments, quizzes, term tests and the final exam.
· Approximately 35 online (WebAssign) exercises will be assigned (2 points each). 25 best will be counted towards the final grade. There will also be 11 weekly in-class quizzes (3 points each), 10 of them will count towards the final grade.
· There will be three in-class 50-minute term tests (100 points each). These tests will be on September 16, October 14, and November 9, 2022. Any conflicts must be resolved with Dr. Çömez well in advance of these dates.
· The final exam (120 points) will be on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 8 am.
Grades will not be curved. As a guideline, points in the range 451-500 are A, 401-450 are B, 351-400 are C, 300-350 are D, and below 300 is unsatisfactory.
Expectations: The instructor will teach the material in the best of his ability; however, students should assume full responsibility in their learning. This is a mathematics course; hence, it is expected that students know well how to provide mathematically rigorous arguments and solutions. Failure to do so will earn poor grades. Lecture attendance is strongly encouraged and active participation in lecture discussions is essential for success. Make-up tests will only be given in the most exceptional circumstances (such as medical emergencies) and require prior approval of the instructor (unless impossible, in which case written excuses may be required). No make-ups for missed assignments and quizzes. Students who are not regularly attending lectures cannot expect special consideration in relation to their grades. Calculators will not be allowed during quizzes and tests.
1. Students who miss more than 20% of classes or more than 20% of assignments prior to the Last day for no-record Drop of classes may be administratively dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor.
2. COVID-19 and its variants still cause serious health hazard which requires all of us to follow COVID-19-related precautions and guidelines (see CDC guidelines at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html), which may change as the pandemic evolves. The instructor is fully vaccinated, and students are strongly advised to get vaccinated.
3. To have a safe environment for all students and faculty, every student enrolled in this course will be required to wear mask in the classroom. This policy may change as the pandemic evolves; in that case, students will be informed promptly.
4. Students should not come to class if they experience COVID-like symptoms. If a student is infected with COVID-19, or is a contact of an infected person, he/she should immediately inform the course instructor via an official means of communication, and isolate/quarantine at home (see CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html ). Consistent with NDSU policies and procedures (including, but not limited to NDSU Policy 331.1: Course Syllabus, NDSU Policy 606: Guidelines for Student Requests for Reasonable Accommodation), faculty will offer the student a reasonable accommodation to maintain instructional continuity.
Academic Responsibility and Conduct: All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU Policy, Section 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct. This policy applies to cases in which cheating, plagiarism, or other academic misconduct have occurred in an instructional context. Students found guilty of academic misconduct are subject to penalties, such as failure of the course, up to and possibly including suspension and/or expulsion. Student academic misconduct records are maintained by the Office of Registration and Records.
Special needs: Students with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in the course, are invited to share these concerns or requests with Dr. Çömez and contact the Disability Services Office as soon as possible.
Veterans: Veterans and student soldiers with special circumstances or who are activated are encouraged to notify Dr. Çömez in advance.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
Week 1. Sections 1.1, 1.2
Week 2. Sections 1.2, 1.3, 2.1
Week 3. Sections 2.2, 2.3
Week 4. Sections 2.4, 2.5, Test 1
Week 5. Sections 3.1 3.3
Week 6. Sections 3.4, 4.1
Week 7. Sections 4.1, 4.4
Week 8. Sections 4.2, 4.3, Test 2
Week 9. Sections 4.5, 4.6
Week 10. Sections 5.1
Week 11. Sections 5.2
Week 12. Sections 5.3, Test 3
Week 13. Sections 5.5, 5.6
Week 14. Sections 7.1
Week 15. Sections 7.2
Final Examination: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 8 am.