MAS 3105-Linear Algebra (50581) Summer A 2011   MTWR 12:30-13:45 – GC 279A

 

Instructor: Tedi Draghici 

Office: DM 432B   Phone: (305) 348‑2028      E-mail: draghici@fiu.edu

Office Hours: MTWR 11:00-12:15      Web: http://www.fiu.edu/~draghici

 

Textbook: Linear Algebra with applications, 7th Edition, by Steven J. Leon. (Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-185785-1) – We’ll cover most of Chapters 1-6.

 

Pre-requisite: MAC 2312 (Calculus II). 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, editing text files, etc). You'll probably spend a couple of hours a week in the FIU computer lab (DM 409A).

 

Method of Evaluation: Your final grade in the course is based on:

1.    Top 4 scores out of 5 quizzes for a total of          100 points;

2.    Two MATLAB mini-projects for a total of               50 points;

3.    One midterm exam, Tuesday, May 31                     100 points;

4.    Final Exam – Thursday, June 23 - comprehensive exam – 150 points.                         

Grade-scale: The following percentages will guarantee the associated grade:

             > 90  : A    80-85 : B     65-75 : C      < 50 : F

             88-90 : A-   78-80 : B-    55-65 : D   

             85-88 : B+   75-78 : C+    50-55 : D-

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.

 

NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN. If you have a documented medical or professional excuse for missing an exam, that percentage of your grade may be made up on the final.

Attendance: Optional, but I hope you will find it useful to be in class.

Drop deadline: Wednesday, June 1. Remember, if stop attending classes and don't wish to get an F, you must drop by this date.

Expectations: Suggested homework assignments will be recorded on the website after each class. You have to check the web page often for updates. You are expected to spend approx 20 hours a week outside of class, on homework and reading the corresponding sections of the text. Do NOT fall behind! 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. You will also need to learn very basic MATLAB (appendix of the book should be enough) to do the two mini-projects.

Tutoring: Marco Rodriguez is the assigned Learning Assistant (tutor) for the class.
His schedule is MTWR 14:00-15:00; location TBA (either the regular classroom or DM 409A).
Additional tutoring is available in GL 120; but be sure to find a tutor who knows and is able to explain Linear Algebra.

 

The instructor reserves the right to make any changes he considers academically advisable. These eventual changes would be announced in class and you are responsible to be aware of them.