Math 309E -- Fall 2009

  • Time and Place: MWF 12:00PM in NSC 220
  • Instructor: Jason Manning
  • TA: TBA
  • Text: David Lay, Linear Algebra and its Applications, 3rd edition. The UB custom edition is identical to the standard edition.
  • Web page: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~j399m/teaching/2009F309.shtml. Updates to the syllabus will appear here.

    Course Description

    Introduction to Linear Algebra. We'll cover most of the topics in Lay's text. Topics include: Solving systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces and linear transformations, eigen(vectors|values), orthorgonality, quadratic forms.

    Grading

    Your grade in the course will be based on quizzes and homework (25% together), two midterms (20% each) and a comprehensive final exam (35%).

    Homework

    Homework problems will be assigned each week, and collected the Friday of the following week. The homework assignments will be posted to http://math.buffalo.edu/~j399m/teaching/309hw.shtml. A selection of the problems will be graded, depending on grader availability. Because the grading is not instantaneous, and you may wish to refer to your solutions while studying, you are encouraged to save a copy of your homework.

    Quizzes

    Written quizzes will be given at various times in class and in recitation. They may or may not be announced ahead of time. There are no make-up quizzes, but your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

    Exams

    Two midterms and one final exam will be given. Dates will be announced in class and on the webpage. You are responsible for knowing when and where the exams will be. No calculators, cell phones, or other electronic gadgets are allowed in the exam. If you must miss an exam due to a legitimate emergency, you must let me know as soon as possible (preferably by email, before the exam). If you miss an exam without giving a legitimate reason in a timely manner, you will receive a grade of zero on the exam. There are no make-up exams.

    The first midterm exam will be Friday, October 9th. The second midterm will be Wednesday, November 11th. The final exam will be Wednesday, December 16th, from 8AM to 11AM, in KNOX 4.

    Miscellaneous

    Help Center: The math help center in Room 110 of the Mathematics Building will open September 14th, and be open 9am-4pm weekdays.

    Disabilities: If you have a diagnosed disability (physical, learning or psychological) which will make it difficult to carry out the course work as outlined, or requires accommodations such as recruiting note takers, readers, or extended time on exams and/or assignment, please advise me during the first two weeks of the course so we may review possible arrangements for reasonable accommodations.

    Making up incompletes: To make up an incomplete in a math course you must:

    1. Not re-register for the course-- you are making up an incomplete in your original course.
    2. Appear in person at the Math building, Room 244, ask for Rosemarie Marciniak, and ask her to initiate an incomplete petition for you.
    3. Sign the petition.
    4. a. If your original instructor determined that the work was to be completed with him/her, take the approved petition form to your original instructor for his/her signature. b. If your original instructor determined that the work was to be completed by your repeating the course, take the approved petition form to your new instructor for his/her signature.
    5. Return the petition form to Rosemarie Marciniak in Room 244 of the Math building by the last day of drop/add (Friday, September 11th).

    Last updated 16 November 2009