Syllabus for MAS 3105.02, Spring 2012 (Ref # 15463) Last modified on

Professor:  Steven M. Hudson. Phone: 305-348-3231. 
Office Hours: TR 3:30-4:30pm, in DM 419B, or by appt.  
E-mail: hudsons@fiu.edu , Home Page: http://www.fiu.edu/~hudsons

Main Text: Linear Algebra with Applications, By Steven J Leon, 8th Edition (most of Chs. 1.1 thru 6.4).

Other sources (optional): Understanding Linear Algebra using MATLAB, By Kleinfeld. This book is sometimes bundled with the main text for free at the FIU bookstore, but it is not required reading. Other supplementary materials listed in the preface, such as the Student Study Guide can be helpful. Also, see Leon's web site or my notes on changes in the 8th Edn

Schedule:  Some dates are tentative. See  the Schedule and Homework page for more details, updates and announcements.

Tues, 1/10, 2:00pm to 3:15pm - First lecture. PC 214
1/19 - likely date for the first of 6 quizzes  [thru Ch 1.2]
2/17 - [most likely date] First Matlab HW is due.
3/12 to 3/17 Spring Break
3/19 Last day to drop the course (without refund - but pls check the date)
4/17 - All homework etc. must be in.
R, 4/26, noon to 2pm - the final exam covers the entire course.

The prerequisite for this course is Calc II (MAC 2312). If you have written short proofs in a previous class (Discrete Math, Geometry, etc) you have a small advantage. If you have never multiplied two matrices, or solved a linear system of equations,  try to learn and practice those skills ASAP. Prior knowledge of MATLAB is not required, but you will need some basic computer skills (Windows, cut-and-paste, editting text files, etc). You'll probably spend a couple of hours a week in an FIU computer lab.

Your semester grade will be based on your average score - not on improvement, effort, etc. Incompletes will not be given, except in special cases such as last-minute medical emergencies. I may give a little extra credit for projects [you can propose one early in the term], but I have certain limits [a max of 3 points per student, none given in the last week, etc]. 

Percentages of course grade - Six quiz scores, 10% each. I will replace your lowest quiz score by your prorated Matlab HW grade (assuming that is higher). Final exam, 40%; Each student will have a score between 0 and 100% at the end of the course. Letter grades will be assigned approximately as follows; 

 A 85-100%,   B 75-84 %,   C 65-74 %,   D 55-64 %, F 0-54 %. 

(+'s and -'s will be used). I will set the official scale at the end of the semester, after all grades are in, but will usually announce a revised unofficial scale after each quiz. Note: We do not yet have a suitable grader for this course, which means I do not currently intend to collect it. If a grader turns up soon, I may revise the above system to include HW for 10%.

Expectations: You are expected to spend approx 10 hours a week outside of class, on homework and reading the corresponding sections of the text - more if needed. Do NOT fall behind! The lectures are intended to give you a light introduction to the material (with attention to the rough spots). The reading and HW will go a bit beyond the lectures. You are expected to ask questions in my office, after class or by email. You will need to visit various pages in this website [some may include javascript and pdf files]. You will need to do MATLAB problems for homework.

You will be expected to write fairly simple proofs, with clear sentences and good explanations. I will try to help you learn to do this by giving examples in lectures and thru web pages. You may need to spend extra time on this. I can meet with you during office hours, and may place extra books on reserve in the library for this, upon request.

I expect you to visit Eric (our LA) regularly, for special presentations, and help with HW, etc. Non-attendance will not directly hurt your grade, but this is strongly recommended, and I may even give a little extra credit for strong participation in LA sessions.

Various Policies:  There will be approx 7 regular homeworks (HWs), which will help prepare you for the quizzes. In the past, I usually collected the HW for grading, but that seems unlikely for Spring 2012. Try hard to do all the problems by yourself, and ask [your LA, prof, or classmates] about the others. The MATLAB homework (MHW) will be assigned separately - your average on those can replace your lowest quiz grade. Both kinds will be colllected and (still assuming we have no assigned grader) graded very briefly. It must be done essentially alone, except for help with the software, or perhaps some hints from me. If you are not getting enough feedback this way, bring me a list of any exercises you have doubts about.

Quizzes usually consist of 1-2 problems similar to the previous homework assignment(s), and 1-2 conceptual questions, such as  True-False, a textbook proof and/or a definition. 

The Main Rules:

Any beepers/cell phones/mp3s etc must be turned off during class.
If you cannot arrive and leave on time, see me and explain.
If you miss an entire class, get notes from a classmate.
If you must miss an exam, see me beforehand, and document your excuse.
In general, there are no make-up exams (but see me).
If you find a grading error, write a note to me at the top of your paper and return it promptly.

I will try to identify any cheating that may occur in the course. To avoid unfounded suspicion, please show all your work, turn in any scratch paper you use in exams, and avoid sitting next to your study partners during exams. This covers the basics, but read over My Policies (the long version) so that you are not surprised by anything, and so you know your options.

LINKS:

Schedule and HW 
Help tutoring, websites, online tutorials, advice etc
Exam Page - practice quizzes, keys, etc 
MATLAB page - MHW lists, FAQs, etc
Back to my Home page