"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: Tuesday, Thursday 3:30-4:50 in PSY B35

Discussion section: Monday 1:00-1:50 in PSY B41

Text: David C. Lay, Linear Algebra and its Applications. (fourth edition), Addison-Wesley, 2012, ISBN number 9780321385178.

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.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 4, November 8, and December 11. The final exam will be held 3--5 on Tuesday, December 18. 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 for your absence or you will receive a grade of zero. A valid reason for missing an exam would be something serious like illness (the flu but 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 2 pm on Monday. No late homework will be accepted for any reason. You will receive an email message with more details about my homework policy.

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 or to consult the tutors who are available in the department's tutoring room MCS B24. The tutoring room schedule is posted here. If you miss class, do not send me email asking for answers to questions that were covered in class.

Office hours: Monday 2-3, Tuesday 5-6, and Thursday 5-6. 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 Boston University Academic Conduct Code. This code is designed to promote high standards of academic honesty and integrity as well as fairness. 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. If you have a question about any aspect of academic conduct, please ask.

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 12, 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.