MATH 2030, Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra I
Winter 2014

Course Description: This class is a self-contained introduction to Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra. Topics include: subspaces, linear transformations, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, systems of linear equations.

Instructor: Prof. Peter Selinger
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Chase Building, Room 303
Email: selinger@mathstat.dal.ca (please mention "2030" in the subject line)
Lectures: MWF 9:35-10:25, Dentistry 3156
Website: Updated information, assignments, any handouts, etc., will be available from http://www.mathstat.dal.ca/~selinger/2030/
Office Hours: MW 1-2.
Syllabus: We will cover approximately the following sections of the textbook, in approximately the given order.

Sections 1.1-3. Vectors and geometry in 2 and 3 dimensions.
Sections 2.1-4. Systems of linear equations.
Sections 3.1-3. Matrices.
Sections 3.5-6. Subspaces and linear transformations.
Sections 4.1-4. Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors.

Prerequisites: Nova Scotia advanced Mathematics 11 or 12. Students should note that this is a second-year class and, although it has no formal first-year prerequisites, certain mathematical maturity is expected.
Textbook: David Poole. Linear Algebra. A Modern Introduction. Third edition, Brooks Cole, 2010.
Student Resource Centre: Students can get help with this course in the Student Resource Centre which is located in Room 119 on the 1st floor of the Chase Building. A tutor will normally be available Mon-Fri between 9am and 5pm on a first come, first served basis, free of charge. Also, there are large tables where you can work together (on Math or Stats only, please). Tutors from the Learning Centre are also available in the Learning Commons, Killam Library, Room G40G, Mon-Thurs between 7pm and 10pm.
Course Work: There will be weekly homework, two in-class midterms, and a final exam. Homework must be submitted in class before the start of the lecture. From each homework set, all problems or a selection of problems will be graded. Late homework will not be accepted except with the instructor's prior permission. You will also be given reading assignments from the textbook.

The midterms are scheduled for Monday, February 3 and Monday, March 10 in class. Calculators, textbooks, and notes are not allowed in tests and examinations.

Marks: Marks will be based on the homework, midterms, and final exam. Class participation may be taken into account. The homework counts 15%, each midterm counts 20%, and the final exam counts 45%. You need to pass the final exam in order to pass the course. Numerical grades are converted to letter grades via the standard Faculty of Science scheme: 90-100 = A+, 85-89.9 = A, 80-84.9 = A-, 75-79.9 = B+, 70-74.9 = B, 65-69.9 = B-, 62-64.9 = C+, 58-61.9 = C, 55-57.9 = C-, 50-54.9 = D, 0-49.9 = F.
Missed test policy: A missed midterm cannot be written at another time. If you miss the midterm without prior permission, then it will count as a 0. Exceptions are made in two cases: (1) if you obtain the instructor's prior permission to miss a midterm, or (2) if you have an officially valid excuse such as a medical doctor's note. In these cases, the weight of the missed midterm will be shifted to the final exam (e.g., the final exam will then count 65% instead of 45%). There is no make-up option for the final exam except in cases of an officially valid excuse such as a medical doctor's note.
Students with disabilities: Students with disabilities should register as quickly as possible at Student Accessibility Services if they want to receive academic accommodations. To do so please phone 494-2836, e-mail access@dal.ca, visit http://studentaccessibility.dal.ca/, or drop in at the Mark A. Hill Accessibility Centre just outside the Killam Library at 6227 University Avenue.
Plagiarism policy: Plagiarism is a serious academic offence which may lead to loss of credit, suspension or expulsion from the University, or even the revocation of a degree. Please read the Policy on Intellectual Honesty contained in the Calendar or on the Dalhousie web site at: http://www.dal.ca/academics/academic_calendars/Undergraduate_Calendar_2013_2014/University_Regulations.html#I11.


Peter Selinger / Department of Mathematics and Statistics / Dalhousie University
selinger@mathstat.dal.ca