Overview

Lectures: MWF 3:35-4:25 PM, Room 106 Boucke
Instructor: Jan Reimann
Office: 318B McAllister
Office hours: Tu 11-12, We 11-12
Email:
Personal Website: http://www.math.psu.edu/reimann/

Textbook

The textbook for this course is Linear Algebra and Its Applications by Gilbert Strang, 4th edition, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2006. We will roughly cover Chapters 1 to 6.

Supplementary material:

Content

The course covers the standard material of linear algebra: Linear equations and matrices, matrix operations, vector spaces, orthogonality, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, positive definite materices and quadratic forms. Throughout the course, emphasis wil be put on

  • the central role matrix operations play in all aspects of the theory,
  • developing the material rigorously, which means results will not only be stated and explained, but also proved,
  • applications to various areas.

Exams

There will be two midterms, the first on October 3, the second on Novermber 7. There will also be a final exam (date and time tba).

Homework

Homework will be assigned each week and will be due the following week in class. Homework will be graded and the two lowest scores will be dropped. Late homework will not be accepted.

Attendance

Although attendance will not be formally taken, it is expected that students attend all classes, in accordance with Faculty Senate policy 42-27.

Course Grade

The final grade will be determined as follows: 30% homework, 20% each midterm, 30% final.

Academic Integrity

All Penn State Policies regarding ethics and honorable behavior apply to this course.

Collaboration: Collaboration among students to solve homework assignments is welcome. This is a good way to learn mathematics. So is the consultation of other sources such as other textbooks. However, every student has to hand in an own set of solutions, and if you use other people's work or ideas you have to indicate the source in your solutions.
(In any case, complete and correct homework receives full credit.)