Syllabus for MAS3114 Section 2481:
Computational Linear Algebra


Instructor and meeting time

Instructor: Dr. Richard Crew, Little Hall 404
email: crew@math.ufl.edu
tel.: (352)-392-0281 ext. 272
www: http://www.math.ufl.edu/~crew

The course meets MWF 4th period in 217 Little Hall. My office hours for Spring 2007 have not yet been settled, but for the week of January 8-12 they will be W57 and F7. If you cannot make these times, please send me an email and we will arrange another time.

Introduction

This is an introductory course in linear algebra for students in the sciences, computer science, and engineering. It is one requirement for a minor in Mathematics, but students majoring in Mathematics are required to take MAS4105. We will cover the following topics: linear systems, matrices, determinants, vectors, vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products, eigenvalues of linear transformations, and quadratic forms. Applications will be studied as time permits. This amounts to most of the first seven chapters of our text, Linear Algebra and its Applications by David Lay, 3rd. edition.

As the title suggests, the course will stress computational topics, and students will be expected to enter the course with knowledge of a programming language. A number of computational projects (4 to 6) will be assigned during the semester. We will use the language MATLAB in the course for the projects and examples. It will be the responsibility of each student to learn this independently of the lectures; there will be very little class discussion of this software. Books and tutorials are available; check the main course page for information.

The theoretical aspect of the subject will also be covered in this course, although not as extensively as in MAS4105. Simple proofs will be discussed during the lecture, and students will be responsible for knowing the basic ideas behind them.

The ultimate goal of the course is to acquire a knowledge of the basic theoretical ideas and computational techniques of linear algebra, and some competence with MATLAB.

Prerequisites

Calculus 2 (MAC 2312, MAC 3473, or equivalent) and knowledge of a scientific programming language.

Course Format and Grading

The course grade will be determined from the following: 3 midterm exams, 4 quizzes, a final exam, and a certain number of computation projects (4 to 6). The midterm exams and projects will count equally towards the course grade, and the final exam has the weight of two midterm exams. Homework problems will be assigned from the text but will not be collected or graded; these problems are the students preparation for the quizzes and exams. The final grade will be determined from the total point score according to the following (tentative) schedule: A, 85% and above; B, 75%-84%; C, 65%-74%; D, 55%-65%; E, below 55%. This scale may be revised slightly after the second midterm exam.

General Policies

General policies for all of my courses may be found here.

Policies specific to this course:

Metadata

This page was last modified on June 27, 2004. It will be updated during the term.


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