Instructor: Sankar Sitaraman
TEXT: Linear Algebra And Its Applications, David Lay, 3rd edition
Class will meet MWF DGH 223 at 10.10 am.
Fridays part of the class will usually be spent on discussing exercises.

OFFICE HOURS

Office: 219, ASB-B (behind Locke). Hours: MWThF 12.10-1 pm,
But you are welcome to come at other times also but please call 806-6832 or e-mail ssitaraman "(insert @ here)" howard.edu beforehand, if possible.

  Click here to get the latest UPDATE including practice problems, chapters covered in class, solutions for tests etc.,

Tutoring schedule
Tutoring is available in ASB-B 108 (below math dept)

Syllabus

We will be starting by exploring the ways in which we usually solve several equations at once and then learn how to use matrices and linear transformations to do that, and the properties of determinants that are key to understanding matrices and transformations. Finally we will see how the more abstract setting of vector spaces will help us understand matrices and transformations deeper, providing more powerful tools to solving systems of equations.

Sections:
Ch. 1 -- sec 1-9 ; Ch. 2 -- sec 1-9 ; Ch. 3 -- sec 1-3 ; Ch. 4 -- sec 1-7 ; Ch. 5 -- sec 1-3 ; Ch. 6 -- sec 1-4; Ch. 7 --sec 1-4.

Quizzes, Tests, Grades, and all that stuff
Practice problems will be given every class. It is your responsibility to be aware of them, either by attending class or by talking to students. You are strongly encouraged to form a study group of students from this class. It is highly recommended that you meet with students in your study group atleast once a week. The problems will help you prepare for the quiz, which will be given almost every week. No make-ups will be given. You are strongly encouraged to talk to me during office hours. The quizzes, while easier to get points than the tests, are crucial to understanding the material and also to preparing for the tests.

Old Exams

There will be 3 in-class tests apart from the departmental final exam. The dates of the tests are given below. No make-ups will be given. The best 2 scores out of the 3 tests will be included in the final grade.

The quizzes will count for 300 towards final grade. I will drop the two lowest scores in the quizzes

Grading:
Total: 700 points (Quizzes: 300, Tests: 200, Final: 200 )
A: 630-700
B: 560-629
C: 490-559
D: 420-489
F: Below 420

 Dates to remember:
Wed Jan 19: Quiz 1
Fri Jan 28: Quiz 2
Fri Feb 4: Test1
Fri Feb 11: Quiz 3
Fri Feb 18: Quiz 4
Fri Feb 25 : Test 2
Wed Mar 9: Quiz 5
Fri Mar 25: Quiz 6
Fri Apr 1: Test 3
Fri Apr 8: Quiz 7
Fri Apr 15: Quiz 8
Fri Apr 22: Quiz 9

Final exam May 2 to 11