Instructor: Dr. Karen Ricciardi

Office: 317 Albee

Phone: 758-7104

e-mail:ricciard@bard.edu

Office Hours: Monday 4:30-6:00; Wednesday 10:30-12:00; Thursday 2:00-5:00 and by appointment

Course Web Page: http://math.bard.edu/ricciardi/ElmLA.htm

Meeting Time/Place: Monday, Wednesday 3:00-4:20 PM/ Albee 106

Textbook: Lay, David C., Linear Algebra and its Applications, 3rd ed., Addison/Wesley
 
 

Prerequisites: This course covers the basics of linear algebra in n-dimensional Euclidean space, including vectors, matrices, systems of linear equations, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, as well as applications of these concepts to the natural, physical, and social sciences. Knowledge of single variable calculus is necessary for this course.  Please talk to the instructor if you are unsure whether this is the appropriate course for you.

Grade: Your grade will be determined in the following manner.

Exams (3) = 20% each for a total of 60% of your final grade.

Quizzes = 15% of your final grade.

Computer Labs = 15% of your final grade.

Final project = 10% of your final grade.

Exams: There will be three exams throughout the semester, two in class exams and one take home exam. Each exam will be comprehensive, with a focus on the most recently learned material.   In class exams will be completed in one class period.  You will have one week to complete the take home exam which will be collected at the beginning of the class on the due date for the exam.  Late exams will not be accepted.  If you should miss an exam or an exam is handed in late, you will receive a grade of zero unless you have spoken to me prior to the administration of the exam (see Make-ups). Each midterm exam will be worth 20% of your final grade.  Tentative exam dates are: 3/3 (in class), 4/5 (take home), 5/12.

Quizzes: Quizzes are based upon homework problems assigned in class.  Each quiz will be given either in class or in a take home format.  If the quiz is a take home, the quiz must be handed in before the next class period.  Late quizzes will not be accepted.  If the quiz is in class, the quiz is due at the end of the class period.  The quizzes will be based upon the homework. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped, and no makeup quizzes will ever be given.

Computer Labs:  There will be four computer labs assigned throughout the semester.  These labs utilize the program Mathematica which is installed on all computers on campus.  The first lab is an introduction to Mathematica and as such will not be graded.  The second, third and fourth labs are each worth 5% of your final grade.  You will have approximately one and a half weeks to complete each lab.  Ten points will be deducted from your lab grade for each day the lab is late.

Projects: Linear Algebra is applied to many different types of problems in fields of physics, chemistry, biology and economics.  In this project you must present an application of linear algebra to the class.  The problem you present must be approved by the professor.  For your presentation you must supply the students in the class with a one page handout that contains pertinent information necessary to understand the problem.  You will have 20 minutes to present your work.  Projects will be graded on the students' ability to meet all required due dates, their knowledge of the topic, the creativity and clarity of their presentation and their handout, their use of the alloted time for the presentation and their ability to field questions from the other students.

        Key Project Points:    2/23: Hand in three possible problems.

                                            3/10: Hand in an outline of theory of application.

                                            3/15: Hand in a statement of an example that illustrates the application.

                                            4/14: Hand in a completed solution for your example.

                                            5/3: Hand in a rough draft of your handout.

                                            5/17, 19: Presentations.

Make-ups: Make-up exams will be granted only under compelling circumstances (e.g. death in the family, medical emergency, religious holiday). Arrangements for make-ups must be made before the date of the exam (or as soon as possible thereafter when prearrangement is not feasible). Unexcused missed exams will receive a score of zero.

Other places for help: Free tutoring services are offered by Academic Services. While this service pertains primarily to lower level math courses, many of the peer tutors have the ability to tutor Vector Calculus. To gain more information about arranging for a peer tutor, contact Dr. Jeff Suzuki at 758-7001 (suzuki@bard.edu).

Academic Honesty: The Bard College academic honesty policy is in effect. In particular, always be sure to give proper attribution for work or ideas that are not your own.

Special Accomodations: Students with documented special needs should inform the instructor during the first week of classes. Any special needs will be kept completely confidential.