General description:

This is the third semester of the upper level calculus sequence. The course covers linear algebra, with applications to dif ferential equations. The approach is more theoretical than in our other calculus sequences: we teach theorems as well as computational techniques. If you are not sure this is the right course for you, we will be glad to talk to you about it. One of the goals of the course is to provide an introduction to theorem-proving. By the end of the semester, you should be able to understand most of the proofs in the subject, and you should even be able to give someproofs on your own. Topics will include: vectors, matrices and linear equations, vector spaces and linear transformations, determinants, eigenvectors and diagonalization, orthogonality and differential equations.

Textbook:

Otto Bretscher, Linear Algebra with Applications, second edition.

Course web page:

http://www.math.cornell.edu/~vogtmann/221

Examinations:

Prelim 1: Tuesday, September 30th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Prelim 2: Thursday, October 30th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Prelim 3: Thursday, November 20th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Final Exam: Thursday, December 11th, 9:00 - 11:30 am

Notes,textbooks and calculators are not allowed during prelims and the final examination.

Lecture:

Sections:

Office Hours:

Karen Vogtmann, 555 Malott Hall, Mondays & Wednesdays 1:10 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.(or by appointment).
Drew Armstrong, 218 Malott Hall, Tuesday 12-1, Thursday 10:15-11:15

Grading:

Prelims count 16.66% each, the final 25%, and the remaining 25% is apportioned among homework, quizzes and class participation.

Tentative Course Outline     and      Homework assignments

Homework:

Homework will be assigned weekly to be handed in during section on Thursdays. The first assignment is
due Thursday, September 5. One homework grade will be dropped.

Late homework will not be accepted .

The homework is the most important part of the course. No matter how well you think you understand the material presented in class, you won't really learn it until you do the problems. You are free to devise whatever strategy for learning the material suits you best. This may involve collaboration withother students. We believe, however, that most people will get the maximum benefit from the homework if they try hard to do all the problems themselves before consulting others. In any case, whatever you turn in should represent your own solution, expressed in your own words, even if this solution was arrived at with help from someone else. Remember, you are doing the homework in order to learn the material; don't try to defeat the purpose of it.

Incomplete :

An incomplete will be given only in those rare circumstances where a student has completed all but a small portion of the course with a grade C or better and a severe, unexpected event prevents him/her from completing the course. In particular, if you get behind in the course you cannot ``bail out" by taking an incomplete.

Attendance and absences :

You are responsible for the material covered in class, whether you attend or not. You are also responsible for the announcements made during class; these may include changes in the syllabus.

Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a University. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. When in doubt about plagiarism or collaboration, consult the course instructor. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that range from probation to expulsion.

If you need accommodations because of a disability , if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform me immediately. Please see me after class, or at my office.