MATHEMATICS 601 Mathematical Principles in Science I

Au 20101 Info for the sections at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. MWF
Instructor:    Dr. Rodica D. Costin,
Office: 436 Math Tower
Office hours: MW 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. or by appointment

Prerequisites:
Elementary operations with matrices, calculation of determinants, some familiarity with vectors
Textbook:
[S] Linear Algebra and Its Applications by G. Strang (4th edition)
Other Reference books:
[W] L.W. Johnson, Riess & Arnold: Introduction to Linear Algebra (Chapters 3,4)
[L] P. Lax: Linear Algebra

Notations as in [W].

Homework:
One homework set every week, generally posted on the web page each Wednesday and due the following Wednesday at the beginning of the class.

Exams:
One take-home cummulative final.

Team work: YES for homework, NO for the exam.
• For each homework assignment, collaboration is allowed. Every student
must submit his/her own solutions.
• The FINAL EXAM IS INDIVIDUAL, and any collaboration is strictly
prohibited.

Homework policy:
Each assignment paper will be graded for mathematical correctness AND PRESENTATION. Points will be deducted for sloppiness, incomprehensible or insufficient explanation, or for lack of supporting arguments. The solutions should be presented so that your fellow students could read them and follow both the calculations and logic.

Grading policy:
Each assignment (8 or 9 total) will consist of approximately 100 possible points, and the Final Exam will be worth about 200 points. There is a total of about 1000 points.
Late papers will not be accepted except in extreme situations with documented excuse. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all instructions that are delivered during class, including departures from general assignments.

Use of software: You are encouraged and sometimes have to use a software package such as Maple, Mathematica, or Matlab. So, practice with some linear algebra software soon, and get used to working with it. All routine calculations should be checked this way. If we want you to do hand calculations, we will make it explicit. Even then, check your calculations.
When you use software, you should submit the output + explanations (what calculations you did and why). A simple solution consisting of output from, say, Maple is NOT sufficient. Use common sense here.