Instructor: John Eggers
Course: Math 20F
Title: Linear Algebra
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisite: Math 20C (or Math 21C) or equivalent with a grade of C- or better
Catalog Description: Matrix algebra, solution of systems of linear equations by Gaussian elimination, determinants. Linear and affine subspaces, bases of Euclidean spaces. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, quadratic forms, orthogonal matrices, diagonalization of symmetric matrices. Applications. Computing symbolic and graphical solutions using MATLAB. (Zero units given if Math. 2EA previously. Formerly numbered 2EA.)
Textbook: Linear Algebra and Its Applications, third edition, by David C. Lay; published by Pearson Education; 2003
Subject Material: We shall cover parts of chapters 1 - 7 of the text. A more detailed list may be found by consulting the calendar and the list of assigned homework problems.
Lecture: Attending the lecture is a fundamental part of the course; you are responsible for material presented in the lecture whether or not it is discussed in the textbook. You should expect questions on the exams that will test your understanding of concepts discussed in the lecture.
Reading: Reading the sections of the textbook corresponding to the assigned homework exercises is considered part of the homework assignment and it will be expected that you read the assigned material in advance of each lecture. You are responsible for material in the assigned reading whether or not it is discussed in the lecture.
MATLAB: MATLAB assignments will be assigned weekly and should be turned in to your TA during the Wednesday lab section on the due date indicated on the homework page; no late assignments will be accepted. Your cumulative MATLAB grade will be based on the best 6 of the 8 MATLAB assignments. The Wednesday lab section is scheduled so that you may get help with MATLAB from your TA. You are expected to make use of the lab sections; questions specific to the operation of MATLAB will likely not be answered outside of the lab sections. You may discuss the MATLAB assignments with your instructor, TAs, and other students in the class; however, the assignment you turn in must be your own: A plagiarized assignment will be considered evidence of academic dishonesty.
Homework: Homework will be assigned on the course homework page and should be completed by the discussion section on the indicated due date. Homework will not be collected; rather, your homework will be indirectly measured by your performance on exams. Completing the assigned homework is vital to your understanding of the subject material. You should make every effort to complete the homework assignments and seek help with problems you have not been able to solve.
Exams: There will be four (4) half-hour exams given during the lecture on Tuesdays; please see the course calendar for the dates of the exams. You will be allowed thirty (30) minutes to complete each exam. You may bring one 8.5 by 11 inch handwritten sheet of notes with you to each exam; no other notes (or books) or calculators will be allowed. There will be no early or makeup exams.
Final Exam: The final examination will be held at the date and time stated in the course calendar. You may bring one 8.5 by 11 inch handwritten sheet of notes with you to the final examination; no other notes (or books) or calculators will be allowed. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have a schedule conflict involving the final examination; you should not enroll in this class if you cannot take the final examination at its scheduled time.
Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your cumulative average at the end of the term and will be based on the following scale:
| A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D |
| 97 | 93 | 90 | 87 | 83 | 80 | 77 | 73 | 70 | 60 |
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense at UCSD. Students caught cheating may face failure in the course and an administrative sanction which may include suspension or expulsion from the university.
| Department of Mathematics | Math 20F |