Linear Algebra Math 310
Spring 2012
Course Info in Detail

Tentative Schedule
The course schedule that has been distributed should be considered tentative. It is possible that we will deviate from the schedule, spending more time on some subjects and less time on others. However, we should cover all the material listed by the end of the course. As a general rule, once a section of the text has been discussed in class the first time, the homework problems assigned for that section should be completed by the following class meeting. Even if no specific assignment is announced in class, you will be expected to work on the appropriate problems. See the additional comments below about Homework.

Grades
As stated on the one page course information sheet, grades will be based on two in-class exams (24% each), a final exam (36%) and class participation, homework, and quizzes (16%). This last category is optional, and cannot lower your exam average. Here is how it works. During the semester, you are expected to keep a portfolio as detailed below. It will contain quizzes and exams, with any errors corrected, as well as homework and any in-class worksheets or labs that might be assigned. The portfolio will be handed in for my review at each exam.  During the final exam I will review the portfolio and then determine a subjective grade for both the portfolio and class participation. If this grade is lower than your exam average, (or if you do not turn in a portfolio), it will NOT be counted as part of your grade. (In this event, the in class exams will each count 28.5% and the final will be 43%.) If the subjective grade is higher than your exam average, it will be included in your grade, with a weight of 16%.

I do not follow a rigid point system for converting point totals to letter grades.  At the end of the course, I try to assign grade ranges so that students with nearly equal point totals don't end up with different grades.  Usually, the grade ranges are something like this: A = 93 and above, A- = 90-93, B+ = 88-90, B = 83-88, B- = 80-83, C+ = 78-80, C = 73-78, C- = 70-73, D = 60 - 70, F = anything below 60.

Makeup Policy
If you are forced to miss an in-class exam for reasons beyond your control (such as an illness, family emergency, etc.), a makeup may be arranged, but ONLY if I am informed in advance. I will NOT approve requests to reschedule an exam for reasons of convenience. For example, if you plan to travel before or after a school break, that is not a valid reason to reschedule an exam. Similarly, avoidable conflicts for recreational, entertainment, social, or work activities are generally not valid reasons to miss an exam. You have received a schedule indicating the dates of the exams; please plan other activities around them.

Attendance Policy
Attendance in this course is not required; I will not keep track of days you miss class. However, you are responsible for anything presented in class, including announced schedule changes, modifications to assignments, and material that supplements what is in the text. Note also that the class work component of your grade will depend on regular participation in class activities. If you elect to skip these activities, your final grade will be based on exams.

Learning Objectives and Study Tips
The goal of this course is to learn the important ideas, results, and techniques of linear algebra. Doing assigned homework problems is one way to learn this material. However, you will also be expected to understand (and be able to explain) important concepts, as well as knowing mathematically correct statements of definitions and theorems. That means knowing the assumptions as well as the conclusions of theorems. Generally, doing the homework problems will NOT contribute much to your knowledge of these definitions and theorems. So, in addition to doing homework problems, plan to read each section carefully, making note of the significant theorems and definitions, and practice restating these in your own words, without looking at the text.

Homework
This semester I plan to try an online homework system (called webwork) for some of the homework.  The advantages of this system are that you get immediate feedback when you make errors.  I have not used this system before, so I will be seeking student input as go along.  If the online system is found to be useful by most students, it will be continued. 

Generally, you will be expected to complete homework after each class meeting. An online assignment sheet shows problems for each section of the text.  Some of those assignments will be modified as I learn how to use the online system.  So be aware that the online assignment sheet will change as we proceed through the semester.   Unless announced otherwise, plan to hand in an assignment (or possibly to do some homework problems online) for each section of the text the class meeting following the first time that section is discussed in class, even if no specific asignment is made in class, and even if the entire section is not covered in class.

For most people, learning mathematics involves two stages: understanding and retention. At first, doing the exercises will help you to understand the ideas. But it is not enough to understand - when it comes to the exam you will also have to remember. That requires practice and drill. The homework assignments are intended to serve as a guide, and they should be modified to suit your personal needs. If you find that you need more drill and practice to remember important ideas and procedures, then do not limit yourself to the homework that will be collected. On the other hand, you may wish to do less than the assigned amount of drill and practice if you learn and retain the material quickly.

In some cases you may not complete an entire assignment, either because you do not understand all of the questions, or because you run out of time. In all cases, hand in as much of the assignment as you have completed at the next class period. You should also complete the assignments, as necessary, but these do not have to be handed in. The completed assignment can be handed in at the next class, if no new section has been introduced. Whether or not you hand in the completed assignment, put it in your portfolio (see below).


Starred Exercises.  Most of each assignment drills you in the important procedures that arise in each section of the text. In addition, I have assigned a few more theoretical or conceptual problems, generally at the end of each assignment. Some of these are indicated with a * in the assignment sheet. You may consider these to be optional problems, but are encouraged to attempt them, to reinforce and extend your conceptual understanding of the material. These problems are especially important for declared or potential Math Majors, Minors, and anyone who expects to take higher level mathematics courses. If you are in this category, please read  A Note to Math Majors.

FORMAT:  The regular problems in each assignment should be stapled together in one packet, and the starred exercises should be stapled together in a separate packet.  These will be handled separately when they are graded.  The format for star problems is shown in this sample.  The format for regular (non-star) problems is shown in this sample.  

Homework is collected and reviewed as a service to you. It provides a way for you to receive individual feedback on your work, and indications of errors or misunderstandings. Work that meets the format requirements and that is turned in on time will be promptly returned. I cannot promise that the same attention will be given to work that is hard to read or turned in late. Please review the returned assignments carefully, to see if there are topics that you need to study more carefully.

If you get stuck on an exercise, DO NOT SPEND HOURS SPINNING YOUR WHEELS!!! Sometimes a few short minutes with a classmate, tutor or with me can get you back on track again. This can even be done over the phone. Please feel free to call me in my office if you have a question. In any case, DO NOT LET IT SLIDE. Get the help you need right away, so you don't fall behind. Working with another person, or in a group, can be very helpful in this regard.

Although you are encouraged to work with others, you are expected to work actively on the problems. Do not let someone else do all the work, or just copy their answers. This will not contribute to your understanding, and will result in poor exam grades. Remember, handing in assignments is not an end in itself. The assignments are there to help you learn the material.

Examinations
The midterm examinations will contribute a major portion to your grade. The first assignment after the exam will be to correct all your errors. At the next exam you will turn in your course portfolio, including the corrected examination. The portfolios will be reviewed and returned.

Coursework Portfolio
For full credit on the class participation part of your grade, you will be expected to keep a portfolio of class work (but not your notes). It should be in a three ring binder, with separate sections for Homework, Starred Exercises, Computer Labs and Class Activities, Exams. The section for starred exercises is optional -- you  don't have to include it unless you do some of the starred exercises.  But if you do any starred exercises, for maximum credit put them in a separate section from the regular homework..  Class notes, handouts, assignment sheets, etc., should NOT be kept in the portfolio.

The portfolios will be collected during each midterm exam.  The portfolio grades will reflect the quality of your work, as well as your thoroughness and commitment to completing assignments on time. In particular, assignments should be done by their due dates and the portfolio should be reviewed during each exam.  A portfolio that is not turned in for review until the end of the course will not receive full credit.

A Q&A page has more information about portfolios.