Class time and location: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11:00 in MCS 148

Discussion section: Tuesday, 2-3 in MCS 148

Text: David C. Lay, Linear Algebra and its Applications (updated second edition), Addison-Wesley-Longman, 1999.

Linear algebra is not algebra in the sense that you learned it in high school. It 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 a foundational one for mathematics majors. Furthermore, the techniques of linear algebra are extremely well developed, and many important applications are formulated in terms of linear models. Consequently, linear algebra is also very useful for any scientist or engineer. In this course, we will study the mathematical properties of linear functions, and we will also study certain classical applications using linear models.

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

Exams and grading: We will have two in-class exams during the semester, both at the normal class time. They will be held on October 4 and November 15. The final exam will be held 12:30-2:30 on Friday, December 14. 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. This work will include solutions to the homework and your work on the "problems of the day."

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. Students who miss more than one exam should probably withdraw from the course.

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 Tuesday. No late homework will be accepted for any reason.

Office: MCS Room 255.

Phone number: 617-353-9555. You can leave a message if I am not available.

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: Tuesday 3-4:30 and Thursday 2:30-4:00. 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. Copies of the code are available in CAS Room 105, and it is your responsibility to know and follow the provisions of that code. In particular, all work that you submit in this course must be your original work. Any cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the CAS Student Academic Conduct Committee.