Catalog Name : Math 20F, Linear Algebra Credits : 4 credits Prerequisites : Math 20C or equivalent with a grade of C- or better Description : The following topics will be covered:
We
will restrict ourselves to linear algebra with real numbers. For instance we will
only consider linear equations with real coefficients, vector spaces
with real scalars, matrices with real entries. Usually generalizations to complex cases are straightforward. Course Webpage: (You are expected to check the webpage regularly.)
Textbook : Linear Algebra and its Applications by David C. Lay - 3rd Edition For the exams you are responsible for all of the sections on the course calendar.
Grading Policy : Your grade will be based on your performance in the four homeworks, matlab computer labs (see the information about the computer labs on the right for how your matlab score will be determined), two midterms and final. We will use one of the following two schemes (whichever yields the higher score) to calculate your overall score out of 100.
Remember always that this
is a curved-class. We will use curve in favor
of you. This means that if the class average is high, then we will use
the standard scale below.
But
more likely we will have to use a different scale so that you can get
better grades than the above scale suggests. For instance if
your
overall score is 80 but if you are in the upper %10 of the class, you
should normally receive an A.
Unless the class-average is high, what matters in the end will be your
rank in the class and your average as compared to the class-average.
Please don't get discouraged if you find an exam difficult; possibly it
was a difficult exam for the majority of the class. Midterms : The midterms will be held from 7pm to 8:50pm on January 30th and February 27th at York 2622.
Typically
there will be five questions on each of the midterms. Both of the
midterms will be open-book exams. There will be no make-up
midterms; if you miss a midterm, the weight of the final will be increased to %50. One of the midterms will be discarded if
your final grade is better than your lowest midterm grade. In this case
the weight of the final will be %50 of your overall score. |
Final : Final is scheduled on March 19th, Wednesday from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Please make sure that you have no other final scheduled at this time. (neither you would like to have multiple finals, especially three or more, on this date.) The final will be a closed-book exam. It covers all of the topics on the course calendar. There will be no make-up final under no circumstances. Homeworks : Homeworks are due by 3pm on the indicated dates on the course calendar. You will have to drop them off to the homework box reserved for our class on the 6th floor of the APM building. Homework boxes are on the right on the 6th floor as soon as you leave the elevator. One of the boxes will be labeled as Math20F (Lecture C-Homeworks). Normally late homeworks will not be accepted. If you have a valid excuse to return it late, please see me and not drop it off to the homework box late. (Homeworks dropped off late will be discarded.) Additionally there will be suggested questions from the textbook, which will be solved during the discussion sections. These questions are not going to be collected or graded. Their sole purpose is to get you prepared for the exams. Please check the homework page to access the latest homeworks and suggested questions posted. Calculators : Use of a calculator such as TI-85 or TI-86 when solving the homeworks or suggested questions is recommended. Calculators are not allowed during the exams. Lectures : Attendance to the class is not required. However, the most efficient way to learn is sitting in the class. Because this gives you the opportunity to interact in case something is not clear. What is covered in the class will be compatible with the textbook. But the lectures will be brief and we will touch on only the most essential concepts. Discussion Sections : Discussion sections meet every Tuesday. Your TAs will be solving some of the homework and suggested questions. Here you will find more time to raise individual questions. This provides a good opportunity to practice with your friends and knowledgable TAs. Computer Labs : Computer labs will be held every Thursday at the same time as your discussion sections. You will be using the mathematical computing software Matlab. Some of the techniques you will learn in the class are tedious for hand calculations. Matlab will let you perform these techniques efficiently. For instance as we shall see, finding the eigenvalues of a matrix is equivalent to finding all of the roots of a polynomial, which is a very difficult computational problem. Today there are efficient techniques for eigenvalue computation devised for computers from which Matlab benefits. There will be eight Matlab assignments which are available on the web at The Matlab assignments are due on Thursdays by 7pm starting from the third week. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th homeworks are due on Jan 24th, Jan 31st, Feb 7th, Feb 14th, Feb 21st, Feb 28th, Mar 6th and Mar 13th, respectively. You need to turn in the Matlab homeworks to the drop-off box (on the 6th floor in the APM building) labeled as Math20F (Lecture C - Matlab Assignments). Note that there will be two separate drop-off boxes reserved for our lecture; one for the homeworks and another for the Matlab assignments. Please make sure that you turn in your homeworks and Matlab assignments to the right boxes. Only the best six Matlab assignments count. There will be a Matlab final during the 10th week's computer
lab. Your matlab score will be calculated as
Your Matlab score contributes %10 to your overall score... Academic Dishonesty :
Please realize that you are a student in one of the prestigious colleges in California. We expect you to behave accordingly during the lectures and exams. In the case of any unethical act during the lectures or exams, necessary steps will be taken. |