Department of Mathematical Sciences,
Northern Illinois University
LINEAR ALGEBRA AND APPLICATIONS (4) Matrix algebra and solutions of systems of linear equations, matrix inversion, determinants. Vector spaces, linear dependence, basis and dimension, subspaces. Inner products, Gram-Schmidt process. Linear transformations, matrices of a linear transformation. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Applications. Constructing and writing mathematical proofs. A transition between beginning calculus courses and upper-level mathematics courses. PRQ: MATH 232
TEXT: Bernard Kolman and David R.Hill, Elementary
Linear Algebra, 8th Edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey, 2004.
Information sheets and lecture schedule may be obtained online at http://www.math.niu.edu/courses/math240
SYLLABUS: The course will cover most of Chapters 1-7 of the text.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will develop computational skills in working with linear transformations and the matrices used to represent them. However, more of the course will focus on non-computational issues such as reasoning and constructing proofs. This course is intended as a transition between the beginning calculus courses and upper level courses in mathematics.
GRADING: Grades will be assigned on the basis of 600 points, as follows:
Your professor will provide more specific information about grading policies and exam dates for your section.
The final exam will be a comprehensive, departmental examination. It is scheduled as a mass exam, on Thursday,May 12, 8-9:50 A.M. All sections of this course will take the same final exam at the same time. The location of the final will be announced in class near the end of the semester.
WITHDRAWAL: The last day for undergraduates to withdraw from a full-session course is Friday, March 11.
CALCULATORS: This course is oriented away from computational matters. To check their homework, students might sometimes like to have access to calculators or computers that can solve systems of linear equations and manipulate matrices. However, no electronic devices will be allowed on exams.
ACADEMIC CONDUCT: Academic honesty and mutual respect (student with student and instructor with student) are expected in this course. Mutual respect means being on time for class and not leaving early, being prepared to give full attention to class work, not reading newspapers or other material in class, not using cell phones or pagers during class time, and not looking at another student's work during exams. Academic misconduct, as defined by the Student Judicial Code, will not be treated lightly.
CAAR STATEMENT: If you have specific physical, psychiatirc, or learning disabilities and require accomodations, please let your instructor know early in the semester so thatyour learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the CAAR (Center for Access Ability Resources) Office located in the Health Services Building, 4th floor.