Basic Info

Instructor: Dave Feldman
Email: dfeldman_at_co@.3du
Office: Second Floor, Turrets Annex
Problem Solving Session: Wednesdays, 6:30 -- 8:00, Dining Hall
Office Hours: By appointment (see my schedule)
Tutors: none

Course Goals

  1. I want you to get a solid foundation in linear algebra which you can then apply to areas of your interest.
  2. I want you to increase your "mathematical sophistication," ability to reason abstractly, and give you an introduction to some of the more formal ideas of mathematics.
  3. I want to help you improve your quantitative literacy, problem solving skills, and mathematical confidence. This includes using computers to help you set up and solve problems.
  4. I want to have fun while working hard and learning some challenging material.

Textbook


Introduction to Linear Algebra (fourth edition). Gilbert Strang. Wellesley Cambridge Press. 2009. ISBN: 978-09802327-14. [amazon.com | abe.com]

We will make heavy use of the videos and other materials available as part of MIT's OpenCourseware Scholar webiste for course 18-06.

Other resources:

Class Format


This class will be taught in a flipped format. You will watch video lectures before class. Classtime will be devoted to discussion and solving problems. I have not taught a class in this format before, but I am very excited to give it a try. We will need to experiment some and figure out how to optimally use class time.

Evaluation

  • Weekly Homework Assignments: 90 percent.
  • Class Attendance and Participation: 10 percent.

I will assign grades (for those who so opt) by following the guidelines put forth in the COA Course Catalog. I do not have any quota of A's, B's, etc. I recommend against letter grades; I believe they are more likely than not to interfere with genuine learning. But I also understand that many students believe (perhaps correctly) that grades will make it easier to get into graduate or professional school.

Policies and Details

  1. Homework will usually be due at the end of the day on Friday. More than one unexcused late homework assignment will result in me mentioning this in your narrative evaluation and may result in a lowering of your grade.
  2. If you need extra time for one or two of the homework assignments, it's not a big deal. But be very careful to not fall farther behind every week.
  3. I will accept late homework assignments. However, I may not be able to grade these assignments thoroughly. This means they will be of significantly less use to you on exams.
  4. More than two missing homework assignments will result in a grade no higher than a C.
  5. You are strongly encouraged to work together on homework. You can also consult me, class tutors, other faculty, friends, and family. However, the homework you hand in should represent your own understanding. This means that if your friends get a homework problem and you don't understand how they did it, you shouldn't photocopy their solution and turn it in.
  6. We will also do some computational work as part of this class. We will discuss in class which platform(s) to use. I am leaning toward python and numpy, but there are other options to consider.
  7. As I plan on sending out homework assignments and other information via email, it is important that you check your email regularly.
  8. Academic misconduct -- cheating, plagiarizing, etc. -- is bad. Any cases of academic misconduct will likely result in a judicial hearing; see the academic handbook for details. Possible consequences range from failure of the assignment to expulsion.