Class meetings: Monday and Wednesday, 11:30 – 12:45, LL 508.
Office: LL 817B
E-mail: hmoon8@fordham.edu
Course webpage: https://fordham.blackboard.com
Office hours (at Math Help Room): Monday and Wednesday 3:00 – 4:00, Thursday 2:00 – 4:00 or by appointment
Text: Linear Algebra Done Right, 3rd ed., S. Axler, ISBN-13: 978-3319110790, ISBN-10: 3319110799.

Course objective

Linear algebra, which is a study of vector spaces and linear maps, is one of the most important background material to understand modern mathematics. The three goals of this course are: 1) studying fundamental concepts in linear algebra, 2) practicing reading/writing formal mathematical statements, and 3) looking into a different perspective of advanced mathematics, which is different from high school mathematics and calculus. Topics include real and complex vector spaces, linear independence, dimension, linear maps, matrix representations, kernel and range, systems of linear equations, determinants, eigenvalues, and inner products.

Prerequisite

Math 1206 (Calculus I) or Math 1207 (Calculus II).

Grading

I grade on a curve. Final grades will be computed according to the following breakdown:

Test

There will be two midterm exams and one final exam. The tentative schedule for the midterm tests is: October 9 and November 13. We will take the final on December 16. The final exam is cumulative. Make up exams will not be given unless you have a documented reason.

Homework

There will be weekly homework assignments. They consist of two parts. The first part is what you have to solve and return. You don’t need to submit the second part of the homework. However, most of problems on midterm exams and the final exam are going to be minor variations of those problems. It will be collected on Monday, before the class starts.

The homework assignment for this class will be different from other math classes in two ways. First of all, you have to typeset your homework. I will not accept handwriting. However, if you have some technical difficulty to input some mathematical formula, you may write them by hand on your printed homework. It would be even better if you come to me to discuss how to input mathematical formula. Secondly, you are not allowed to use any incomplete sentences or abbreviation. Your solution must consist of full sentences.

I don’t accept any late submission or e-mail submission unless there is some medical/family emergency.

Attendance

Based on Fordham’s academic policy, coming to every class during the official academic term is required. It is your own responsibility to know what happens in class. I may not penalize for each of your absences, but if you make five unexcused absences, then you will get an F.

During the lecture

Except the purpose of note taking, use of any electronic device, including cell phones, tablets, and laptops is not allowed.

Expectation

The federal definition of “credit hour” requires that for a four-credit course, you should spend 12 hours per week (including class time) on it. I expect that you study at least 9 hours per week to prepare this class. Otherwise it would not be easy to pass this course. The preparation includes completing your homework, reading your textbook/lecture notes, and solving exercise problems.

Collaboration

I highly recommend you to work in groups and help each other. It would be essential to collaborate for doing your homework, reading your textbook, and preparing your tests. I expect that you can learn how to work together during your learning experience. It would be really, really important for studying higher mathematics.

However, do not copy someone’s homework. You must understand how to solve the problems, and need to write with your own language. If I notice any plagiarism, the whole homework set will be void and you may get 0 credit.

Additional materials

I will post course lecture notes and solutions of homework/tests on the course webpage. Check the course webpage regularly, at least once in a week. It is always advisable to work as many additional problems from the book as you have time for. Each week I will post on the course webpage a list of recommended problems. You don’t need to submit a solution of recommended problems, but studying them will be very helpful to improve your mathematical understanding.

Calculator or computer

Only calculators are permitted on midterm tests and the final. Use of computers, smart- phone or any other electronic devices is not allowed.

Math Help Room

A great deal of help is available and I strongly encourage to use them. Math Help Room is where you can get free help. The new Math Help Room is located in QuinnX library which is located in the basement of LL building. To enter QuinnX, all students require a study pass which is available at the Library Services desk, 2nd floor of Quinn Library. The fall semester hours for QuinnX is M–Th 11am – 7pm and F 11am – 6pm. Faculty members and upper class math majors will stay and help you. I am going to hold my office hours in Math Help Room. The staffing schedule of Math Help room will be e-mailed to you soon. We encourage you to use the Math Help Room for getting help in math or just discussing math with your peers.

Academic integrity

As a Fordham University student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s academic integrity policy. All academic work must meet the standards described in http://www.fordham.edu/info/20322/academic_advising/3030/academic_integrity. Lack of knowledge of the academic integrity policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Questions related to course assignments and the academic integrity policy should be directed to the instructor.

Disability Services for Students

If you are a student with a documented disability and require academic accommodations, you need to register with the Office of Disability Services for Students (ODS) in order to request academic accommodations for your courses. Please contact the main ODS office at Rose Hill at 718-817-0655 to arrange services. Staff at ODS can walk you through the process and arrange appointments depending on which campus you take courses at. Accommodations are not retroactive, so you need to register with ODS prior to receiving your accommodations. Please see me after class or during office hours if you have questions or would like to submit your academic accommodation letter to me if you are already registered for accommodations with Fordham.

Disclaimer

The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.