Dr. Mann's M340L, Spring 2011
Matrices and Matrix Calculations
Unique # 56195





Class Meetings     MWF 2:00 - 2:50 pm in RLM 4.102

Lecturer                  Dr. Jennifer K. Mann
Office: RLM 13.142
Office Hours: MW 3:00 - 3:45 pm, Th 10:00 -11:30 am, or by appointment
Email: jmann@math.utexas.edu
Website: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/jmann/

Teaching Assistant       Ligang Long
Office: RLM 12.124
Office Hours: TTh 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Email: llong@math.utexas.edu

Text               Linear Algebra and Its Applications by David C. Lay, Third Edition

Honor Code          The class is expected to uphold The University of Texas at Austin Honor Code. The core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.

Exam Dates

Exam 1: Friday, February 18
Exam 2: Friday, April 1

There will be no makeup exams. Use of calculators is not allowed during exams. There are two in-class exams during the semester and a cumulative in-class final exam.

Final Exam Date              Friday, May 13             2:00 - 5:00 pm            JGB 2.324

Homework
Homework will be posted in Blackboard under "Assignments." Only a portion of each homework assignment will be graded for accuracy, although all problems will be graded for attempt. Homework assignments will be collected weekly. Homework is due at the beginning of class each Wednesday. STAPLE all pages together, write clearly in complete sentences, and write your name legibly on your assignment.

Students are encouraged to discuss all aspects of the course with each other. However, each student should write their own solutions to homework problems. Copying another student's solution or that from another text is a violation of the honor code and fails to contribute to your personal mathematical development. Two homework grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. No late homeworks will be accepted for any reason.
 
Each student should collect their graded homework from the teaching assistant during his office hours.

Class Participation
Class attendance is mandatory. If you are absent, do not email or otherwise contact me to ask what material we covered during class, what the assignments are, what sections the exams will cover, or any other questions that I have answered or will answer during class. I realize that sometimes an absence is necessary. In such a situation, you should contact a classmate to get notes and information for the class you missed. It is a good idea to work together throughout the semester.

Grading      
Grades on the two midterm exams will be scaled to count 25 points each. For the homework, the lowest two scores will be dropped, and the result will count as 25 points. The final exam will count 50 points. The final grade, on the plus/minus system, will be determined out of 100 points by dropping the lowest midterm test grade, or by weighting the final test grade by 1/2 (i.e., count it as 25 points).

No semester assignments will be accepted after the last day of classes Friday, May 6, 2011. Your final exam grade is final. Thus, any discussions of your course grade must occur prior to the final exam administration on Thursday, May 12, 2011.

All grades will be recorded in Blackboard. It is each student's responsibility to check that each homework grade posted in Blackboard is accurate. In the case of an error, the student must notify the teaching assistant immediately.

Plus/minus grades will be assigned for the final grade as follows: as follows: A (100-92.6), A- (92.5-89.6), B+ (89.5-86.6), B (86.5-82.6), B- (82.5-79.6), C+ (79.5-76.6), C (76.5-72.6), C- (72.5-69.6), D+ (69.5-66.6), D (66.5-62.6), D- (62.5-59.6), F (59.5-0).
 
Syllabus        http://www.ma.utexas.edu/academics/courses/syllabi/M340L.php

Prerequisites        The prerequisite is one semester of calculus (either M408C, M408K, or M408N) with grade of at least C-, or consent of instructor. Only one of M341 and M340L may be counted.

Course Description        The goal of M340L is to present the many uses of matrices and the many techniques and concepts needed in such uses. The emphasis is on concrete concepts and understanding and using techniques, rather than on learning proofs and abstractions. The course is designed for applications-oriented students such as those in the natural and social sciences, engineering, and business.

Course Website        http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/jmann/sp11M3240L_pm.html
Additionally homework assignments, all grades, and other essential course information and materials will be posted in Blackboard.
 
Advice for Success
Actively participate in the course by attending lectures, working the assigned homework problems, and utilizing the office hours of Dr. Mann and your TA. Please do come to our office hours if you have questions or concerns. To succeed in M340L students need to develop good study habits and to seek assistance whenever and wherever it is provided. Make sure that you do not fall behind. Come see us as soon as your performance is slipping.

Before you email me to ask a question about the rules and procedures of this course, please read through this website to see if the answer is written here. I diligently tried to include here any information that you might ask; please utilize it.
 
Services available to students
The University of Texas provides appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information,contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY. If you plan on using accomodations, you must to notify your Instructors early in the semester.

Utilize the Sanger Learning and Life Center!

Deadlines for dropping a course
If you drop a class on or before February 2, the class will not show up on your transcripts. If you drop a class after that date, the course will show up on the transcript with a “Q” grade. After March 28, it is quite difficult to get approval to drop a course, and there may be an academic penalty.

Student Conduct
All computers, cell phones and other hand-held devices must be put away out of sight during class. Please come to class on time. If you will be late or need to leave early for some legitimate reason, please tell me in advance. Coming and going during class is distracting to your fellow students, and they do not like it. I know this because they complain to me about it.

Planned Lecture Schedule        http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/jmann/sp11M340L_pmcal.pdf
Deviations from this tentative calendar may occur during the semester. The actual material covered each day can only be determined by attending the lectures.

AMS Resource for Undergraduate Mathematics Majors        http://www.ams.org/employment/undergrad.html

Emergency Evacuation Policy
Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside. Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building. Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.

Behavior Concerns Advice Line
BCAL: 232-5050

Return to Dr. Mann's Home Page        http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/jmann/