SYLLABUS

MATH 256 Linear Algebra Fall, 2016

Instructor: Ivan C. Sterling, 177 SH, cell: 240-431-8185, isterling@smcm.edu.

Office Hours: TBA

Book: Linear Algebra with Applications, 7^th Edition – Williams

Course Outline: Misc Sections in Chapters 1-8

Tests and Grades: There will be four exams (worth 80% of your course grade, 20% each). One of the four exams will be the non-comprehensive final. Homework will be part of your grade (worth 20%). The homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the day it’s due. Late homework will not be accepted. After it is collected some homework problems will be graded by the TA. The exams will be the same or similar to the homework.

Dates for the exams:

R 9/22; R 10/20; R 11/17; Final: R 12/15 7-9:15;

Grading (roughly): 90-100% A,A-; 80-90% B+,B,B-; 70-80% C+,C,C; 60-70% D+,D; 0-60% F;

TA: Drew Merryman, dmerryman@smcm.edu TBA: Phone, Office Hours, Review Sessions.

For Business Use Only:

• At the completion of MATH 256, students will be able to categorize linear equations, vectors, and matrices as demonstrated by illustrating them with examples.

• At the completion of MATH 256, students will be able to illustrate matrices and linear transformations as demonstrated by knowing the basic properties of these topics.

• At the completion of MATH 256, students will be able to formulate determinants and eigenvalues as demonstrated by providing solutions to problems involving these topics.

• At the completion of MATH 256, students will be able to build general vector spaces as demonstrated by understanding the proofs of main results.

• At the completion of MATH 256, students will be able to compare coordinate representations as demonstrated by articulating the similarities and differences between topics.