Summer2 2010 Course Syllabus

Course: Mathematics 2101.021.
Course Title: Linear Algebra.
Time: 1045A-1215 MTWR.
Place: Barton Hall (BB) 202.
Instructor: Visnjic, Vladimir.
Instructor Office: Wachman Hall 630.
Instructor Email: vladimir.visnjic@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-1657.
Course Web Page: http://math.temple.edu/~visnjic/LinearAlgebra
Office Hours: MTWR 12:30-1:30.
Prerequisites: Two semesters of calculus.
Textbook: Linear Algebra, 4th Edition, by S. Lipschutz and M. Lipson, Schaum Series.
Course Goals: Linear algebra is applicable mathematics, and a knowledge of it will pay off, especially in courses such as differential equations. It is also a good introduction to upper level mathematics, with important ideas and theory. The goal is to have you learn some linear algebra, and to get you to think mathematically.
Topics Covered: Vectors, matrices, linear equations, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, inner products, orthogonal matrices, vector spaces and linear transformations.
Course Grading: Your grade will be determined as follows (tentative approx %): Quizzes/attendance 10%, two tests (the lower 20%, the higher 30%), and final exam 40%.
Exam Dates: Final Examination: August 16.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend every class. If the student cannot attend a class for some justifiable reason, he or she is asked to contact the instructor before class if at all possible. More than one absence may negatively influence the student performance (and grade).
Quizzes: One or two per week.

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.

Students will be charged for a course unless a withdrawal form is processed by a registration office of the University by the Drop/Add deadline date given below. For this semester, the crucial dates are as follows:

• The first day of classes is Tuesday, July 6.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, July 19.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, August 2.
• The last day of classes is Monday, August 16.

During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.

The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.