"Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems."
René Descartes

"You can observe a lot by watching."
Yogi Berra

Class time and location: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-2 in MCS 148

Discussion section: Wednesday 2-3 in MCS 148

Text: David C. Lay, Linear Algebra and its Applications (third edition), Addison-Wesley, 2003. ISBN number 0-201-70970-8. An "updated" third edition was published in July 2005. The publisher has assured me that the exercises in the updated version are identical to the exercises in the original third edition, so if you have a copy of the updated version, you are all set.

Linear algebra is the mathematics of linear spaces and linear functions. Since the concept of linearity is fundamental to any type of mathematical analysis, this subject is essential for anyone who wants to attain a strong background in mathematics. In addition, the techniques of linear algebra are very well developed, and as a consequence, many important applications are formulated as linear models. In this course, we will focus on the mathematics of linear functions, and occasionally we will study applications that use linear models.

Course web page: http://math.bu.edu/people/paul/MA242-fall08.html

Exams and grading: We will have three in-class exams during the semester, all at the normal class time. They will be held on October 1 (tentative date), October 29, and December 10. The final exam will be held 12:30-2:30 on Saturday, December 20. Please note the date of the final and make your travel plans now! University policy states that you must take the final at the scheduled time.

In addition to the in-class exams, you will be required to submit written work during the semester.

Grades for the course will be determined by applying the most favorable of the following two weighting schemes to your curved exam grades:

Make-up exams: I have an absolutely firm policy of not giving make-up exams. If you miss an exam, then you must provide an acceptable, written excuse (not an email message) for your absence or you will receive a grade of zero. A valid reason for missing an exam would be something serious like illness (not a slight cold) or a family emergency. Neither poor preparation nor sleeping through an exam are acceptable. If possible (particularly if you want to be sure that your excuse is an acceptable one), contact me before missing an exam.

Homework: Assignments from the text will be made at the end of each class, and you are expected to work these exercises before the next class. In addition, you will be expected to submit your homework for review by the end of discussion section each week, i.e., by 3:00 pm on Wednesday. No late homework will be accepted for any reason.

Office: MCS Room 255.

Phone number: 617-353-9555 (email preferred).

Email address: paul@bu.edu. I find that email is a good way to leave messages, but it is not a good way to get help on your homework. For help with the mathematics in this course, I encourage you to visit me in my office. If you miss class, do not send me email asking for answers to questions that were covered in class.

Office hours: Monday 2:30-3:30, Wednesday 3-4, and Friday 2-3. I will be available in my office during these hours for consultation on a first-come-first-served basis. You do not need an appointment in advance. In addition, many brief matters can be handled directly after class, and in special cases, we can schedule appointments at other times.

Academic conduct: Your work and conduct in this course are governed by the CAS Academic Conduct Code. This code is designed to promote high standards of academic honesty and integrity as well as fairness. A copy of the code is available in CAS Room 105 if you cannot access it on the web, and it is your responsibility to know and follow the provisions of the code. In particular, all work that you submit in this course must be your original work. Any case of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the CAS Student Academic Conduct Committee.

Class conduct: See the course web page for a discussion of conduct that is inappropriate during class or discussion section.

Last drop date: Students cannot withdraw from a course after the tenth week of the semester. In other words, if you are in this course after November 10, you will receive an academic grade (A-F) for your work at the end of the semester. I will not let students who are doing poorly avoid a failing grade by granting an incomplete.