COURSE OUTLINE
MATH 2021.03
FALL 1999

INSTRUCTOR: S. O. Kochman, Ross N510, tel. 736-5250 ext 22553,
e-mail: kochman(at)mathstat.yorku.ca

OFFICE HOURS: Mon 1:30-2:30; Wed, Fri 11:30-12:20 or by appointment.

TEXT: W. Keith Nicholson, Linear Algebra with Applications, PWS Publishing Company, Third Edition, 1995.

MATH LAB: Assistance with mathematical questions on the course or the homework is available at the "Mathematics and Statistics Laboratory", room S525 Ross, beginning on Monday, September 13. The hours will be announced in class.

WEB PAGE: There is a web page for this course which contains the course outline, homework problems, course schedule as well as solutions to tests. Announcements made in class will be posted there and will not repeated in class. The address of this web page is:
http://www.math.yorku.ca/Who/Faculty/Kochman/M2021/info.html

SYLLABUS: We will study the following sections: Chapter 1: sections 1-4; \ Chapter 2: sections 1-4; \ Chapter 3: sections 1-3; Chapter 4: sections 1, 2; Chapter 5: sections 1-5; Chapter 6: sections 1-3. Note that we will not cover all the sections of each chapter.

Linear algebra is the study of the the operations of addition and scalar multiplication in Euclidean spaces of all dimensions. The viewpoint used is to work in an abstract generalization, called a vector space. We begin, however, with several concrete topics which establish the basic tools which are used throughout this course. Matrices and Gauss-Jordan reduction are used to solve systems of linear equations. Then matrix arithmetic and determinants are studied. Vector spaces are defined and the existence of bases and dimension are established. We conclude with the study of eignevalues and the diagonalization of matrices. A more detailed list of topics is contained in the table of contents of the text.

SPIRIT: This course covers many of the same topics as MATH 2221 in greater depth. However, there is a major difference in our approach. Although you will learn to solve the same problems, you will be solving these problems from a clear understanding of what you are doing not merely from memorized algorithms. Therefore, the text and classroom presentations will contain a thorough exposition of the theory underlying the problems to be solved. Moreover, one of the objectives of this course is for you to learn how to construct simple proofs. The tutors in the Math Lab can help you with problem solving and constructing proofs.

HOMEWORK: You are expected to do all of the assigned homework. Experience has shown that the only way to learn math is to do it - math is not a spectator sport! The amount you learn in this course and the grade you receive will be proportional to the amount of time you spend doing problems.

EXAMS: There will be three in-class exams and a 3 hour final exam.

MARKS: The final exam will count as 40% of your mark and each in-class exam will count as 20% of your mark.

MISSED EXAMS: There will be no make-up exams for missed in-class exams. Upon presentation of documentation of a valid excuse the corresponding percentage of the final mark will be added to the final exam. With no presentation of such documentation a grade of zero will be entered for the missed exam. If you miss the final exam then it is your responsibility to complete the required paperwork for deferred standing during the first week of January. A make-up final exam for students with deferred standing will be given on the Monday of Reading Week. Any student who receives deferred standing after that date will have to write the final exam given in December 2000.

IMPORTANT DATES: Add deadline without my permission: Sept. 18.
Add deadline with my permission: Oct. 1.
Drop deadline: November 5.