Spring 2011 Course Syllabus

Course: Mathematics 3051.001.
Course Title: Theoretical Linear Algebra.
Time: TR 11:40 am - 1:20 pm.
Place: Barton 405.
Instructor: Reich, Daniel.
Instructor Office: 532 Wachman Hall.
Instructor Email:
Instructor Phone: 1-7636.
Course Web Page: http://www.math.temple.edu/~reich/3051s11
Office Hours: TR 1:30-2:00.
Prerequisites: One semester of linear algebra or the equivalent with a grade of C- or higher.
Textbook: Sheldon Axler, Linear Algebra Done Right (2nd ed.), pub. by Springer.
Course Goals: Understanding of the theoretical basis for linear algebra, theorems and techniques. Mastery of proof construction.
Topics Covered: Topics include vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, canonical forms, and inner product spaces.
Course Grading: My plan (subject to revision later in the semester) is have one or two midterms and a final exam. These will count in your grade according to the grading scheme below. The other components of your grade will be written and online homework and an occasional quiz.
Exam Dates: Midterm Exams: To be determined. Final Exam: Tuesday May 10, from 10:30 am -12:30 pm.
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is required.
Quizzes/Homework: Written homework with the occasional quiz, weekly.
Course Grading: Our grading scheme is (tentatively) 20 - 20 - 30 - 30 : that is, 20% for the midterms and 30% for the final exam,30% for the written homework, online work, quizzes and any other work. This will be adjusted if there is only one midterm exam.
Make Up Policy: There will be NO MAKE UP exams except in the case of an emergency, like an illness or an accident. The documents confirming the emergency (from a hospital or police) must be provided.

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.