Introduction to Linear Algebra

Math 40, Harvey Mudd College
Profs. Dagan Karp, Mohamed Omar and Ivan Ventura

Catalogue Description

Theory and applications of linearity, including: vectors, matrices, systems of linear equations, dot and cross products, determinants, linear transformations in Euclidean space, linear independence, bases, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization.


Instructors

Dagan Karp, Shan 3414.
Office Hours: Mon 4-5pm, Tue 3-4pm, and open door. Dagan's schedule is here.

Mohamed Omar, Shan 2418.
Office Hours: Mon/Wed 1:00-2:00pm, and by appointment.

Ivan Ventura, Shan 2406
Office Hours: Mon 1:30-2:30pm, Thu 6-7pm, and by appointment.


Tutors

Academic Excellence mathematics tutoring is available from 8:00 to 10:00 PM on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Stay up to date here by checking the AE homepage: http://www.hmc.edu/academicexcellence


Textbook

Linear Algebra, 4th ed. by David Poole.


Grading

There will be homework (A), one midterm (B) and one final exam (C). These three items (A, B and C) will count 30%, 30% and 40% of your grade, but not necessarily respectively. The maximum of A, B and C will count 40%, the others 30%.


Exams

Both exams will be take-home. Exam 1 will be distributed on Wed Feb 10 and due on Mon Feb 15 in class. Exam 2 will be distributed Fri Mar 4 and Due Mon Mar 7 at 5pm in the Mathematics Office.


Homework

Written homework will be due twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, by 5pm, in your instructors office box. You are encouraged to discuss the homework with your classmates, and it is appropriate to acknowledge the assistance of others. You will, however, be expected to write up your solutions on your own. Late homework will not be accepted without a letter from Dean Jakes or Dean Cave. Your lowest homework score will not be used to compute your homework average.


Disabilities

Students who need disability-related accommodations are encouraged to discuss this with the instructors as soon as possible.