MAT 260

MAT 260-020, Linear Algebra
MWF 9:00 –- 9:50 am (Lytle Hall 226)
Instructor : Yun (Amy) Lu
Office : 162 Lytle Hall
Phone : 3-4402
Email : lu@kutztown.edu
Office Hours : MWF: 10:00 - 11:00 am, MW 1:00 -2:00 pm, or by appointment
Home page : http://faculty.kutztown.edu/lu/

This course gives the student an opportunity to make an in-depth investigation of a specialized area of mathematics which has widespread practical applications in the arts and sciences but still allows work with abstract concepts. Topics include the study of the properties of vectors spaces; matrix theory with applications using systems or equations and determinants; linear transformations and invariants under such mappings. We will cover most of chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

A tentative lecture slides can be found here, and you are encouraged to print them out ahead of time and bring them to the class.

Prerequisites

MAT 224 (Foundations of Higher Mathematics) with a grade of C or higher.

Academic Dishonesty

You will receive a zero on the quiz or exam. There may be other penalties as well depending on the situation.

Grading

Grading Example

If a student achieves 60% on the Final, 70% on Exams, 80% on Quizzes, and 90% on Assignments & Participation, then his/her overall weighted average grade is
(0.25 * 60%) + (0.45 * 70%) + (0.20 * 80%) + (0.10 * 90%) = 15% + 31.5% + 16% + 9% = 71.5%.

Final Grade will be determined as follows:

A: 90% − 100%; B: 80% − 89.99%; C: 70% − 79.99%; D: 60% − 69.99%; F: below 60%.

Participation

Attendance at each class meeting is required. Furthermore, I require that you come to class on time, and don’t leave until the class is finished. Attendance will be taken WITHOUT prior announcement. You are expected to actively participate in class by contributing to the discussion, asking meaningful questions, making comments, and sharing your ideas with others (In the event that your course grade falls on the borderline between two letter grades, I will use your attendance/participation to determine whether or not to assign the higher grade.)

I have no tolerance for disruptive or inappropriate behavior in class such as constant talking, exceeding an acceptable noise level, sleeping in class, frequently lateness, missing classes, or leaving early etc. You may end up with a negative score in the Assignments & Participation category.

Assignments

There are daily assignments, which are posted here. These assignments will not be collected unless otherwise mentioned. However, the quizzes and the exams will mainly based on the assignments. You are expected to complete all assignment by the beginning of the next class. I will reserve the beginning of each class to go over any questions you may have.

Exams

There are three in-class written exams and one comprehensive final exam during the semester. All missed exams will be given grades of “0”, unless there is a documented significant reason for missing the event. The (tentative) dates are:

Quizzes

Periodic short quizzes based on assignments will be given throughout the course. The lowest quiz score will be dropped. The schedule can be found here.

Tutoring

If you are having trouble in this course, it is important that you seek help immediately. I would be more than happy to help you during office hours or during another scheduled time. I also encourage you to work together with other students in the class. Please do not hesitate to seek help when you need it!