Instructor: Jim Wiseman
Office: Buttrick 331
Phone: x6202
Email: jwiseman@agnesscott.edu (I check email much more frequently than voicemail.)
Office hours: Mon 1:30-3:00, Tues 1:30-3:00, and by appointment.
Course information: Available on Moodle and the course website, http://wiseman.agnesscott.org/mat480 .
Required material: Lay, Linear Algebra and its Applications, 3rd edition.
Plan: We'll cover topics in applied linear algebra (Markov chains, principal component analysis, Fourier analysis), and you will write and present a final project on a subject of your choice (an application of the above techniques, or another topic). There's a more detailed schedule at http://wiseman.agnesscott.org/mat480/schedule.html, but it's subject to change.
Homework: There will be three homework assignments throughout the semester. Assignments will be posted at http://wiseman.agnesscott.org/mat480/assignments.html – you are responsible for checking them. You will present problems in class one week, then turn in the entire assignment the following week.
Final project: You will turn in a 5-10 page paper and give a presentation on a math topic. The topic can be related to material covered in class (for example, an application of some of the techniques we learn), but it doesn't have to be. Part of the project will be a proposal and a draft. There are details at http://wiseman.agnesscott.org/mat480/stuff/mat480project.pdf.
Honor code and group work: All students are expected to follow the honor code throughout the semester; all exams and assignments should be pledged.
I strongly encourage you to work on the homework in groups. I suggest that you work on the problems by yourself first, making a note of anything giving you trouble; then meet with your group and work through the remaining problems together; and finally write up and submit the solutions by yourself. Every group member must submit her own solutions independently; just copying the group's answers is plagiarism and is unacceptable.
Getting help: Chances are that sooner or later you'll get stuck on something, so don't get frustrated. Think hard, and if you're still stuck, do something else for a while. (It's amazing how often that works.)
My office hours are above - these are times when I'm guaranteed to be in my office and willing to talk. If you want to see me at other times, the best thing to do is to set up an appointment with me by email or after class. Of course, you're welcome to just drop by my office, as long as you don't mind if I'm not there or don't have time to talk.
Finally, I can't emphasize enough that your classmates are your best source of help.
Course goals:
- Learn some tools and techniques of applied linear algebra, and their application in both mathematical and scientific contexts
- Apply and extend your mathematical knowledge through an
individual project.
- Enhance your analytic (problem solving) skills, your ability to think abstractly and to analyze critically, and your computational (algebraic) skills
- Learn to communicate mathematics effectively, both orally and in writing
- Project proposal: Wed. 3/4.
- Project paper draft: Wed. 4/15.
- Project presentations: Wed. 4/29 and Wed. 5/6.
- Project paper: Wed. 5/6.
- No final exam.
Late work: Late work won't be accepted.
Attendance: I expect you to be at every class, on time. Attendance is mandatory on presentation days. Tardiness or absence on other days will have no (direct) effect on your grade.
Cell phones: Cell phone use (including texting) is of course not permitted in class. Turn off cell phones, smart phones, etc., before class.
Course evaluation: Your feedback on the course is extremely valuable to me, the math department, and the administration. In particular, I take your comments very seriously and use them to improve the course the next time I teach it. You are responsible for completing an evaluation of the course at the end of the semester.
Title IX: For the safety of the entire community, any incidence of or information about sexual misconduct must be reported immediately to Title IX Coordinator Marti Fessenden (mfessenden@agnesscott.edu, 404-471-6547) or Deputy Title IX Coordinator Karen Gilbert (kgilbert@agnesscott.edu, 404-471-6435).
Inclusion: This course adheres to the principles of diversity and inclusion integral to the Agnes Scott community. We respect people from all backgrounds and affirm people’s decisions about gender expression and identity. Please let me know your preferred name or gender pronoun if different from the class roster.
ADA: Agnes Scott College seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with various abilities. If you will need accommodations in this class, please contact the Office of Academic Advising and Accessible Education (404-471-6150) to complete the registration process. Once registered, please contact me so we can discuss the specific accommodations needed for this course.