Spring 2011 Course Syllabus

Course: Mathematics 2101.001.
Course Title: Linear Algebra.
Time: TR 11:00-12:20.
Place: BB205.
Instructor: Schiller, John J.
Instructor Office: Wachman 508.
Instructor Email:
Instructor Phone: 215-204-8419.
Office Hours: TR 12:40-1:30 or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math 1042 (0086) with a grade of C or higher, or equivalent transfer credit; co-requisite Math 2043 (0127).
Textbook: Schaum's Linear Algebra, 4th edition, by Lipschutz and Lipson.
Course Goals: To provide students with basic linear algebra concepts needed in applications and more advanced math courses.
Topics Covered: Vectors in Euclidean space, matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear mappings and operators, inner product spaces, orthogonality, determinants, diagonalization: eigen values and eigen vectors, quadratic forms.
Course Grading: The grade is based on six quizzes, three tests, and a comprehensive final exam. The quizzes count 10%. If the lowest score on the three tests and the final exam is one of the three tests, then that counts 10%, the other two tests count 20% each, and the final 40%. If the final exam is the lowest grade, then each test and the final count 22.5%.
Exam Dates: Two quizzes before each test, three tests fairly evenly spaced throughout the semester, final exam Tuesday May 10, 10:30-12:30.
Attendance Policy: Attendance and engagement in class are expected and will be factors in determining grades in borderline cases.

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, January 18.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, January 31.
• Spring recess is the week of Sunday, March 6.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, March 28.
• The last day of classes is Monday, May 2.

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.