Linear
Algebra and Discrete Dynamical Systems
Math 12a, Harvey
Mudd
College
http://www.math.hmc.edu/math12a
Fall 2008
Overview:
This course is
an
introduction to concepts in linear algebra and discrete dynamical
systems.
Linear algebra topics include matrx properites, linear independence,
linear
transformations, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors,
similarity
transformations. Discrete dynamical systems topics include
stability of
periodic points, bifurcations, period doubling cascades, chaos.
Course
prerequisite: Calculus of one real or complex variable (HMC Math 11),
or
equivalent.
Instructor:
Professor
L.G.
de Pillis. Office: Olin 1271. Office Ph: x1-8975.
Email: depillis
at-sign hmc dot edu
Course
duration:
Course Start
date:
Tues,
Sept 2, 2008
Course End
date:
Fri, Oct
17, 2008
Course
meeting times:
Class meets
M,Tu,W,F every week, in Parsons 2358.
Section 1:
10:00am-10:50am. Section 2: 11:00am-11:50am.
Textbook:
Linear
Algebra, 2nd Edition, by David
Poole.
Homework:
Homework assignments will be
due
every Tuesday
and Friday at the start
of
class.
One exception: Homework #0 is
due first day of class,Tuesday,
September 2, 2008, outside
my office door by 5pm, in bin with your section number.
Homework #1, the
first
mathematics
homework
assignment
of the
semseter is due Friday,
September 5, 2008.
Assigned Readings: You are responsible
for
the readings in the text. We may on occasion assign homework from
sections we have
not yet covered, so that you will have to read ahead.
- Homework assignments will be posted through this link.
- Homework should be formatted according to the HMC Mathematics
Department specifications.
- If your homework is late or improperly formatted, we reserve the
right to refuse to accept your homework assignment for grading.
Discussion of
homework
problems with other members of the class is encouraged.
Cooperation on
homework assignments is allowed. However, you are expected to write up
all
your solutions on your own. Please do not copy the work of
others.
Comprehension is the goal, so even with cooperation, you should
understand
solutions well enough to write them up yourself. Copying
the work of others is considered a violation of the HMC honor code.
Honesty: It is appropriate
to
acknowledge (in writing, on your homework assignment) the assistance of
others on your homework assignments; to
do so
incurs absolutely no penalty.
Topics Schedule: An
approximate schedule of topics covered may be found here.
Exam Schedule:
Two exams
for
the course are tentatively scheduled as follows:
Exam 1: Take
home exam handed out Friday,
September 26 (end of week 4). Due Tuesday, September 30, start of
class.
Exam 2: Take
home exam handed out Wednesday, October 15. Due Friday,
October 17 (end of half-semester class).
Graders:
Your graders
this
semester are: Ann Johnston, Michael Lee, Sarah Loeb and Elizabeth
Reiland.
Grading Policy:
Homework:
30%
of overall course grade.
Two course
Exams: 30%
each of your overall course grade.
Class
participation:
10% of your overall course grade.
Minimal
requirements
for passing
this
course:
- Pass both course exams (70% or higher)
- Score a homework average of at least 40%
- Complete the HMC web-based Calculus tutorials by the
end of the course (by Friday, October 17, 2008). Note:
These
thirteen required web
quizzes must be taken and passed. The actual scores you receive for
the quizzes will not affect your grade in the class. They are provided
as complementary course material to help you review your high school
mathematics and to prepare you for the upcoming academic year.
Tutoring
Help:
Additional
tutoring
help for this course will be made available to you on a regular basis
through
HMC's Academic Excellence program. You are encouraged to take
advantage of
this resource.
This semester AE
(Academic Excellence) math sessions will take place evenings before
homeworks are due. (The schedule has yet to be announced, but
tutoring hours are likely occur on Sunday, Monday and
Thursday
nights in the Linde Activities Center.)
Disabilities:
Students who need
disability-related accommodations are encouraged to discuss this with
the
instructor as soon as possible.
HMC
Honor Code:
The HMC Honor Code applies to all
matters of
conduct concerning this course.