Prerequisite: Multivariable calculus (e.g., old number Math 175) should be taken before (recommended) or concurrently with this course.
Instructor: Mark Ellingham, SC 1514, phone 615 322 6670, email mark.ellingham at vanderbilt.edu.
Web page: http://www.math.vanderbilt.edu/~mne/2600/.
Classes: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:10-11:00 a.m., SC 1432.
Office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 2:10-3:00 p.m.
Textbook: The required textbook is Linear Algebra, 4th edition, by Friedberg, Insel and Spence, Prentice Hall, 2003.
Assessment: Assessment for this course will consist of three parts: homework assignments, tests, and a final examination. Your final grade will be calculated from a percentage calculated as follows.
| Assignments | 30% | |
| Tests | 38% | |
| Final examination | 32% |
Problems: There will be both practice problems, and problems to be turned in. Doing the practice problems is important for learning the class material. Practice problems will be discussed in class as time allows. Selected practice problems (possibly with slight modifications) will be included on the tests and final examination.
Assignments: There will be five graded homework assignments, at roughly two-week intervals throughout the semester. Usually assignments will be given out one week before they are due, and they will be due on a Friday.
If you have a good reason for submitting an assignment late, please see me (in advance if at all possible) to make arrangements. Otherwise, late assignments will receive a mark of zero.
Solutions to problems should be fully explained, using clear English sentences where necessary. Written problems must be submitted on paper, not in electronic form, unless explicit permission is given due to special circumstances. Solutions should be written neatly on one side only of clean paper with straight (not ragged) edges. Multiple pages should be stapled (not clipped or folded) together. Marks may be deducted for violating these formatting requirements.
Some problems will require the use of computer programs. In particular, you will be expected to use LA (a simple program for manipulating matrices).
Tests: There will be three 50-minute in-class tests. These are expected to be on the following Wednesdays: September 23rd, October 28th, and December 2nd.
Absences: Absence from a test will be excused only if authorized in advance by the instructor. In case of an emergency the instructor must be notified before the test begins -- if you cannot reach me, leave a message with the Math office (615 322 6672). If sufficient notice of an absence is given, arrangements will be made for you to take the test early. If this is not possible your final mark at the end of the semester will be prorated to take into account the missed test. Absolutely no makeups will be given after the test. In the event of an unexcused absence, or if the instructor is informed unreasonably late of a forseeable absence, then the mark for the test will be recorded as zero.
Final examination: There will be a 120-minute final examination at the time on the primary examination schedule, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 19th. An alternate examination will also be offered, at 12 noon on Tuesday, December 15th.
Both the tests and the final examination are expected to take place in the classroom of the Garland Microcomputer Laboratory. Tests and the examination may contain questions involving proofs as well as questions requiring computations. Tests and the examination are closed-book.
Graduate credit: Students registered for Math 5600 will be required to complete additional homework problems on advanced material.
Honor code: The Vanderbilt Honor Code applies as follows. Work on written problems to be submitted, the tests or the final examination must be done individually; you may not obtain assistance from any source, with the exception of hints given by the instructor.
Technology policy: Modern technology is useful but also distracting. Full attention and active participation are expected during class. Therefore, the following are prohibited during class: taking photographs or videos, use of earphones or earbuds, use of cellphones for any purpose. Laptop or tablet use for taking notes or other class-relevant activities that are not distracting to other students may be allowed at the instructor's discretion (let me know if you plan to use one regularly); your laptop or tablet must be silent. Students requiring special accommodation should discuss their situation with the instructor.
Drop dates: The period to drop or add using YES ends on Wednesday, September 2nd at 11:59 pm. You may drop or add using a paper form until Wednesday, September 9th. The last day to withdraw from the course is Friday, October 23rd.
Course outline: We will cover the following material from the book:
Course philosophy: As the linear algebra course intended for math majors, this course takes a fairly theoretical approach to the material, although we will also talk about methods and applications. This is the place in the Vanderbilt mathematics curriculum where students are expected to learn (a) how to approach mathematics in an abstract way, and (b) how to write proofs. You may find both of these challenging at first, but if you can master these skills then your life will be much easier in later math courses.