Instructor: Dumitru Stamate
Email Address: stamate@math.umn.edu (best way to contact me)
Webpage: www.math.umn.edu/~stamate
Office: Vincent Hall 508, 206 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
Office Hours: M 3:30-4:30pm , 6:10-7:00pm and W 3:30-4:30pm or by appointment
Office Phone: (612)624-4564
Section meeting times: MW 4:45-6:00 pm, 157 Tate Laboratory of Physics , 116 Church
Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Course title and catalog description: Applied Linear Algebra, 4.0 credits
Systems of linear equations, vector spaces, subspaces, bases, linear transformations, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues, canonical forms,
quadratic forms, applications.
Course webpage : www.math.umn.edu/~stamate/4242Fall07
Prerequisites : MATH 2243 or 2373 or 2573. Familiarity with basic operations with vectors and matrices, and some acquaintance with systems of
linear equations, Cramer's rule and determinants is assumed.
Textbook: Linear Algebra with Applications by Otto Bretscher, 3rd edition. I plan to cover as much of the textbook as time permits. I hope to
cover most of the sections through Chapter 7 and hopefully I will present some topics from Chapter 8. Also, I might discuss in class topics which
may or may not be covered in a handout. You are responsible for this material, too.
Course work: This is a foundation course in linear algebra. By its nature, linear algebra has many applications in abstract mathematics and
real life. Following the textbook, we go hand in hand presenting theoretical concepts with their motivation and applications. Topics include:
solving general linear systems of equations, linear transformations, linear spaces, matrix calculus, orthogonality, Gram-Schmidt process,
least-squares approximations, determinants, eigenvalues.
The class time will be devoted to lectures where you should gain an understanding of basic concepts and methods, realize connections between various
parts of linear algebra and eventually build a global picture of linear algebra. The material we cover is also meant as an introduction to a more
abstract level of learning or using mathematics.
You are expected to study both the notes you take in class and the contents of the textbook. We will deal with several algorithms and numeric
computations, therefore it is preferred that you practice by solving as many as possible of the assigned homework problems. The book has many
exercises with various degrees of difficulty and applications in different other ares, so depending on your taste, there is plenty of material to
choose from. Preliminary advanced reading is encouraged. I might assign some sections of the book to be studied at home, but this will not happen
very often. I encourage you to participate in class, to have questions and comments. To use time effectively, general questions are preferred in class; specific
problems should be left to office hours.
Homework:
Homework assignments will consist mostly of problems from the textbook and these will be posted on the webpage of the course, at least 1 week before
they are due. Usually, the assignments for the prior week will be collected in class on Mondays, with several exceptions (see the Schedule). An undergraduate grader will be assigned to grade some of the homework problems.
No late homework will be accepted, unless a very very serious reason explains the delay. You may discuss homework problems with other students,
however you are supposed to write down the solutions by yourself, using your own words. For full credit, you must write solutions clearly, with full explanation, do not write down only the final result. Questions or objections to
grading must be brought up within a week after the graded work is returned to you.
Exams and grading policy:
There will be 3 in-class exams. Each exam will count for 25% of your grade. At the exams you can use one letter-size sheet (one side only) of
self-prepared notes (they must be hand-written, no copies). Books or other notes are not allowed. Scientific calculators are allowed, but
programmable, graphical or multi-line display calculators are not allowed. Make-up exams are discouraged. Missing an exam is permitted only for very
serious and unavoidable circumstances, and only if you notify me in advance.
Exam dates:
Policy on incomplete: The final grade of incomplete will almost never be considered an option. To get one, you must have completed
satisfactorily all but a small fraction of the course work and have a very compelling well-documented excusee.
Meaning of letter grades: See the Uniform Grading and Transcript Policy (
www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/senate/documents/policy/gradingpolicy.html).
Scholastic conduct:
I trust that you will abide by the official Institute of Technology (IT) policy concerning scholastic conduct,
which you can find at www.itdean.umn.edu/students/policies/dishonest.html. Quoting directly from the
source, it says:
The college assumes that students who enroll in its programs are responsible individuals who are
serious about their education and who demand of themselves high standards of honesty, good personal
conduct, and academic integrity. Any act of scholastic dishonesty is considered a serious offense that
may result in expulsion.
IT defines scholastic dishonesty as:
Other expectations: Please show up in class on time and keep cell phones turned off.