Math 215 - Fall 2003
Linear Algebra

Brief course description: This course is an introduction to linear algebra (vector spaces and linear transformations) from an abstract point of view. Concepts will be treated from a geometric and algebraic perspective. Each is equally important, and you will only understand what you work out in part for yourself.

Prerequisites: Math 213 or 214. In particular, you are expected to be comfortable writing proofs (including the use of induction). We will take a more sophisticated approach to linear algebra than Math 227 (Applied Linear Algebra).

Course grade:  This will be based on the following weighting:

• Homework (25%), first midterm (15%), second midterm (15%), and final exam (45%)

Homework: Homework assignments will be posted on the bottom of this web page, and are due at the start of class for each due date.. No late homeworks will be accepted.

• An integral part of each homework is the reading of the sections from which homework problems are selected, and the re-reading of your lecture notes. Focus on both explanations and examples.
• Homework will be done in student groups. The procedure will be discussed during class in the first week.
• Each student's lowest homework grade is going to be dropped.
• You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with the instructor during office hours.
• It is a mistake to skip homework, because no skills (in mathematics, foreign language, athletics, and so on) can be learned by passive involvement, but only by regular practice. Moreover, many skills are learned over time, so do not expect to understand everything perfectly right away. You should find your understanding of basic topics improving gradually from one week to the next.
• Computational homework problems should present a complete calculation, starting with the data of the problem. Do not just give the answer. Proofs on homeworks should not be simply a string of logical and mathematical symbols, but include complete sentences in English. The role of English is to explain the strategy of your proof and the details as well. Everyone in a student group should understand the solution to a homework problem before it is written up in final form.

Exams:  There will be two midterms and a final. (See the course calendar for the precise dates of the midterms.)  

• You are allowed to bring a single 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of notes to each midterm and the final. These notes must be your own work. In particular, they must be handwritten by you . You may be asked to submit the sheet with the exam. If you are discovered with a sheet of notes which was not handwritten by you, or whose contents are virtually identical to the notes of someone else, your grade on the exam will be 0.
• There are no makeup exams. If you miss a midterm, that midterm grade is 0.
• Bring UConn photo ID to each exam.
• If you need exam accommodations based on a documented disability, you need to speak with both the Center for Student Disabilities and the course instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.

Attendance: Since you will be working in groups, your workmates can get frustrated if you regularly skip class and then cannot meaningfully contribute to the homework.

Course conduct: To respect everyone's right to a productive learning environment, please refrain from disruptive activities during class. This includes reading newspapers or magazines, and using pagers and cell phones. Set cell phones on vibrate mode only. If your cell phone receives a message, you can check it after class. Please turn off all other electronic gadgets before entering the classroom. On a positive note, do feel free to ask questions!

Academic integrity: Students are expected to avoid academic misconduct. Your integrity is not worth losing (and the course not worth failing) by falsely presenting yourself in any aspect of this course. For further information on academic integrity, go here. A broader discussion of academic conduct and discipline is at the web page of the office of the Dean of Students; look in the left margin under Judicial Affairs. You can find the complete Student Code there.