Time: MWF 9:40 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: ECG 319
Textbook: A First Course in Linear Algebra
by Hal Moore and Adil Yaqub, 2nd ed., Harper Collins Publ.,
Commented index of course materials
(not always updated)
FTP-directory for class-materials (includes recently added files)
Final exam(MS Word 270KB due to imbedded graphix),
Xmas.m(MATLAB data file for problem 4)
Xmassoln.m(MATLAB text file, sample solution for problem 4)
final.mws
(MAPLE worksheet, fully commented sample solutions for problems 1 and 2,
including fully symbolic treatment of circuit in MAPLE -- inappropriate??)
Instructor: Professor
Matthias Kawski
Office: Goldwater Center Room 636
Office Hours: M 10:40 (in ECG 319), W 1:40
F 10:40 ,
see also
general availability
Telephone: 965 3376 (office), 893 0107 (home)
Preferred mode of communication:
e-mail:
kawski@math.la.asu.edu
Students, Students with PICTURES. Anonymous Grade book (Excel worksheet).
Final exam scores and semester grades
Tentative daily schedule and homework:
The math department's undergraduate computer labs ECA 221 and 225 will be open the following additional hours during the week and on weekends: The ECA lab (room 225 and 221) is open Mo-Th 6-10pm and Sa,So 10am-2pm The new student we hired for the lab is Jeremy Kurtz.
This class is part of a three-course integrated curriculum.
Students are required to enroll in all three classes:
Each class may regularly utilize material form the
other two classes. For more information please contact Professor
Don Evans in the
Center for Innovation in Engineering Education.
All three classes are taught back-to-back in the dedicated,
fully computerized room ECG 319, which also features special
architecture facilitating team-work.
The course will rely strongly on cooperative learning techniques,
and utilize state-of-the-art software wherever suitable.
Objectives and goals:
The primary objective is that each student builds
a solid understanding of the basic objects in
linear algebra, their properties and relations
to each other.
The emphasis is on developing formal reasoning skills, i.e.
how to write short proofs in an linear algebra environment.
Students shall also learn how to calculate linear algebra objects
such as eigenvectors, by hand for small problems, and using
machines for larger problems.
Further objectives are that students develop an understanding
of the fundamental role of linear algebra both in many
applications both inside mathematics as well as other disciplines.
A natural place for studying such connections are team-projects
and exercises that are motivated by the two other classes:
Elementary Differential Equations and Theory of Electricity.
Finally, the course shall further develop the written and oral
presentation skills, as well as working in a team-environment
with hard deadlines.
Content::
The official
course description is
"MAT 342 LINEAR ALGEBRA. (3) F, S, SS
Linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces,
bases, linear transformations and similarity,
inner product spaces, eigenvectors, orthonormal bases,
diagonalization, and principal axes.
Pre- or corequisite: MAT 272 or equivalent.
The text-book is the main reference for the course. For the purpose of curriculum integration with the courses on Differential Equations and Electric Circuits, various sections may be covered in a different order (compare the tentative day-to-day schedule). The course starts with a review of how to solve n simultaneous linear equaltions in m variables, followed by about 6 weeks of studying matrices. The remaining 7 weeks are more abstract, and are devoted to linear transformations and abstract vector spaces. This is the place where the strongest ties are made with the Differential Equations course. The final topics are eigenvalues and exponentials of matrices and linear transformations. See also the tentative day-by-day schedule, incl. homework assignments.
For most students this will be the first course aimed at theorem proving as opposed to calculations. This transition to developing formal reasoning skills is difficult, yet facilitated by the team environment. The formal prerequisite MAT 272 for this course is aimed at only allowing more mathematically mature students in the course. Regarding the content, no MAT 272 knowledge is needed for MAT 342 -- indeed, MAT 342 is an excellent background for many topics in MAT 272 and MAT 274.
Class set-up, exams and grading policy:
After approximately 2 weeks the students together with
the instructor shall discuss the set-up of the class,
homework, exam, and grading policies. For such ar
discussion to be fruitful it is essential that everyone
comes prepared, and, in particular, that students have
discussed the pertinent items with each other.
In the case that no (practically) unanimous decision(s)
can be reached the following default policies shall apply:
Default policies:
The students shall prepare each class by reading the
corresponding section, and (at least begin) working
the assigned homework problems.
Typically each class will begin with an individually taken
one-minute quiz that tests whether students have
read the section.
The instructor will not "copy the textbook to the black-board".
Instead, students shall be prepared to give short presentations
of the basic new topics, the instructor will elaborate the
background, motivation, and more intricate features, as well
as lead a discussion initiated by student questions.
Many classes will be spent on problem-solving (with and
without computer) and proof-writing in teams.
After each class the students are encouraged to
"copy the textbook to their notebooks", and, in
particular, fill in any missing steps in any proof.
A well-maintained notebook may serve as additional
evidence of consistent work at the end of the semester,
and shall be factored in into the semester grade.
There will be three one-hour in-class exams (roughly one
each month), and a two-hour in-class final examination
(part or all of this may be in an integrated form with
the other two classes).
All of these are closed-book, no notes, but with full
access to the computer software.
Electronic cheat-sheets or customized programs are
NOT allowed, UNLESS they have been approved BEFORE
the exam by the instructor.
(If planning to use such files, contact the instructor
a.s.a.p., allowing ample time for other students to
prepare their own versions.)
Generally, any exam may have both a team and an individual
component.
All students are encouraged to work together for
class-preparation, after-class discussion,
homework and exam preparation.
All regular homework assignments, as well as extended projetcs,
are to be completed in teams -- one copy is to
be handed for each team, with signatures on the
cover sheet from all team members certifying that
each student contributed and has mastered the
material. All team members are responsible for the
truth of such statements (e.g. if a student is allowed
to sign, yet cannot demonstrate the material in class,
no student from that team shall get credit).
Homework will be collected every Wednesday
(problems for all sections that have been discussed
in class up to the preceding Friday).
The semester grade will be composed of homework,
daily quizzes, and in-class participation (approx. 50%),
tests (approx. 30 %), and final examination (approx. 20%).
All of these "default policies", plus other items,
are subject to discussion, and change
(provided practically unanimous agreement can be reached).