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Syllabus for Math 420: Linear Algebra

Fall 2017

Last modified: August 22, 2017

• Time/Location: MWF 12:10pm-1:00pm / TODD 302

• Instructor: Hongbo Dong

– Email: hongbo.dong@wsu.edu

– Course Webpage on BlackBoard Learn http://learn.wsu.edu

– Office: Neill Hall 409;

– Office hours: 3:30-5pm Mon/Wed or by appointment;

• Num. of Credits: 3; Course Prerequisite: MATH 220 with a C or better, or MATH 230 with a

C or better; MATH 301 with a C or better;

• Required textbook: Friedberg, Insel and Spence, Linear Algebra, 4nd Edition, Prentice Hall

2003

Course Description This is an advance linear algebra course, with emphasis on abstract vector

spaces and linear transformations. This means some of our mathematical development will be

applicable to infinite dimensional vector spaces, such as the vector space of polynomials. Rigorous

arguments and proofs will be required in homework and exam. We will cover selected sections in

Chapter 1-6 of the required textbook.

Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment The essential student learning outcomes of this

course include solid understanding of concepts and theorems of linear algebra, as well as the ability

to employ such skills for quantitative reasoning. This outcome will be evaluated primarily by written

homework assignments and exams. Expectation of Student effort: Students are expected to work

(textbook reading, homework) at least 6–8 hours outside of the lectures. Grading and Attendance Policy One homework set will be assigned in about every two

weeks. I will randomly grade about half of the problems. Assignments are due at the beginning of

the class on corresponding due days. Late homework will receive a 20% penalty.

Final grades will be determined by using the following decomposition

• homework 30%, mid-term exam 30%, final exam 40%, attendance/participation (extra credit

up to 3%).

The instructor may check attendance randomly accross the semester.

A tentative schedule is given in the following table:

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Week Day Activities

1 (08/21- 08/25)

M

W

F

Syllabus, Introduction

Section 1.2

Section 1.3 (I)

2 (08/28-09/01)

M

W

F

Section 1.3 (II)

Section 1.4

Section 1.5 (I); HW1 due

3 (09/04-09/08)

M

W

F

Section 1.5 (II)

Section 1.6 (I)

Section 1.6 (II)

4 (09/11-09/15)

M

W

F

Section 2.1 (I)

Section 2.1 (II)

Section 2.2 (I); HW2 due

5 (09/18-09/22)

M

W

F

Section 2.2 (II)

Section 2.3 (I)

Section 2.3 (II)

6 (09/25–09/29)

M

W

F

Section 2.4 (I)

Section 2.4 (II)

Section 2.5 (I); HW 3 due

7 (10/02-10/06)

M

W

F

Section 2.5 (II)

Section 3.1

Section 3.2 (I)

8 (10/09-10/13)

M

W

F

Section 3.2 (II)

Review Session; HW 4 due

Mid-term exam (exact time TBD, could be in the previous evening)

9 (10/16-10/20)

M

W

F

Section 3.3 (I)

Section 3.3 (II)

Section 3.4

10 (10/23-10/27)

M

W

F

Section 4.1

Section 4.2 (I)

No class (instructor traveling)

11 (10/30-11/03)

M

W

F

Section 4.2 (II); HW 5 due

Section 4.3 (I)

Section 4.3 (II)

12 (11/06-11/10)

M

W

F

Section 5.1 (I)

Section 5.1 (II)

Section 5.2 (I); HW 6 due

13 (11/13-11/17)

M

W

F

Section 5.2 (II)

Section 6.1 (I)

Section 6.1 (II)

Thanksgiving break

15 (11/27-12/01)

M

W

F

Section 6.2 (I)

Section 6.2 (II)

Selected topics; HW 7 due

M Selected topics

16 (12/04-12/08)

3

W

F

Review session (I).

Review session (II).

Final Week Final exam on Dec 13 (Wed.) 1-3 pm.

WSU Reasonable Accommodation Statement (Jul., 2017.) Students with Disabilities:

Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have

a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please either visit or call the

Access Center (Pullman) or Disability Services (in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses)

to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations MUST be approved

through the Access Center or Disability Services. For more information contact a Disability

Specialist on your home campus.

Pullman or WSU Online: 509-335-3417, Washington Building 217;

http://accesscenter.wsu.edu, Access.Center@wsu.edu

Spokane: https://spokane.wsu.edu/studentaffairs/disability-resources/

Tri-Cities: http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/disability/

Vancouver: 360-546-9138

http://studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/student-resource-center/disability-services

Academic Integrity. Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education. As such, all

members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the

principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Aca-

demic integrity will be strongly enforced in this course. Students who violate WSU’s Academic

Integrity Policy (identified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 504-26-010(3) and -404)

will receive “F” for the course, will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending

an appeal, and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Cheating includes, but is not

limited to, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration as defined in the Standards of Conduct for

Students, WAC 504-26- 010(3). You need to read and understand all of the definitions of cheat-

ing: http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=504-26-010. If you have any questions

about what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask course instructors before proceed-

ing. If you wish to appeal a faculty member’s decision relating to academic integrity, please use

the form available at conduct.wsu.edu.

WSU Safety Measures. Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Wash-

ington State University, and are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU

urges students to follow the “Alert, Assess, Act,” protocol for all types of emergencies and the

“Run, Hide, Fight” response for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct

observation or emergency notification), ASSESS your specific situation, and ACT in the most ap-

propriate way to assure your own safety (and the safety of others if you are able). Please sign up

for emergency alerts on your account at MyWSU. For more information on this subject, campus

safety, and related topics, please view the FBI’s Run, Hide, Fight video and visit the WSU safety

portal.