Math 115A, Lecture 2: Linear Algebra
Winter 2016
| Instructor: | Kristen Hendricks |
| Office: | 6617D Math Sciences Building |
| Office Hours: | W 11-12, R 4-5 |
| E-Mail: | hendricks at math .ucla .edu |
| TA: | Melissa Lynn |
| Office: | MS 3915B |
| Office Hours: | |
| E-Mail: | mklynn at math. ucla. edu |
Location and Time
MWF 10-10:50 in MS 5147. TA discussion section TR 10-10:50 in MS 5147. Please note that section attendance is extremely important to success in this course.Content
This course is a rigorous introduction to linear algebra. We will cover abstract vector spaces, linear transformations, matrices and determinants, inner product spaces, and eigenvector theory. Since this course is intended as a potential first course in abstract mathematics, we will focus on building skills for reading and writing proofs.Textbook
S. Friedberg, A. Insel, and L. Spence, Linear Algebra. Custom UCLA Edition.
Prerequisites
Math 33A.
Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly and due at the beginning of lecture on Friday. Homework must be turned in in hard copy; electronic submission is not acceptable. No late homework will be accepted. However, your lowest homework score will be dropped when computing your grade.
You are encouraged to work in groups on your homework; this is generally beneficial to your understanding and helps you learn how to communicate clearly about mathematics. However, you must write up all solutions yourself. Moreover, since crediting your collaborators is an important element of academic ethics, you should write down with whom you worked at the top of each assignment. You should also cite any other sources other than lecture and the textbook you use. This includes other textbooks, websites about linear algebra, and the solutions guide to our textbook. (Note that nontrivial consultation of the solutions guide is almost guaranteed to result in disaster on the exams.)
Exams
There will be two in-class midterms on Wednesday, January 27 and Monday, February 22. There will also be a final exam Friday March 18, 3:00-6:00 p.m. There will be not be any make-up exams except in extreme and documented circumstances. In particular, note that university policy requires that a student who has an undocumented absence from the final exam be given a failing grade in the course.
Grading
Grades will be computed as follows:
A curve compatible with the department guidelines will be applied to the composite numerical grades. The average will be a B- (unless something surprising happens).
Schedule
We will approximately follow the official schedule of topics here. The exact reading will be posted as the quarter progresses.
Homeworks
Exams