Introduction into Linear Algebra 235 (Spring 2021)


Course Chair

Alexei Oblomkov
e-mail: oblomkov@math.umass.edu


Course sections and instructors

MATH 235 1 LEC MWF 1:25 - 2:15 Jennifer Li
MATH 235 2 LEC MWF 11:15 - 12:05 Jonathan Simone
MATH 235 3 LEC TuTh 11:30 - 12:45 Tina Kanstrup
MATH 235 4 LEC TuTh 10:00 - 11:15 Alexei Oblomkov
MATH 235 5 LEC MWF 12:20 - 1:10 Martina Rovelli
MATH 235 6 LEC MW 4:00 - 5:15 Robert Kusner
MATH 235 7 LEC TuTh 1:00 - 2:15 Tina Kanstrup
MATH 235 9 LEC TuTh 8:30 - 9:45 Alexei Oblomkov



Grades

Three common exams (Midterm1, Midterm2, FinalExam): 60% (20% each)
Instructor's grade (Homework: 30% and participation 10%): 40%
Participation component is decided by the individual instructors. The course is optional synchronous. However, students are expected to participate in the synchronous activities organized by the instructors.
The exams and midterms are synchronous and open-book. Instructors are available by email or Zoom during the exams.




Homework

MyMathLab is required for this course. An electronic copy of the textbook is included in your purchase of MyMathLab. Go to www.mymathlab.com (link) and use the Course section ID that is provided by your section instructor.


Syllabus


Math 235 Prep Videos

Arxiv with videos on topics covered in class are available. Our students are encouraged to watch the vidoes before the meeting the intructors.


Grading Scale

A : 90-100
A-: 86-89
B+: 82-85
B : 76-81
B-: 72-75
C+: 68-71
C : 62-67
C-: 58-61
D+: 54-57
D : 48-53
F : Below 48



Important notes

Make-up exams will not be given to accomodate travel plans.
If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify your instructor within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements.





Exams

Common Midterm I: March 4, Thursday, 19:00-21:00 on gradescope.
Common Midterm II: April 8, Thursday, 19:00-21:00 on gradescope.
Final Exam: for time consult Spire, place for exam is gradescope.

Additional time periods are available for students with special accommodations or other documented conflicts. Please contact your instructor by email AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE EXAM DAY to discuss your particular situation.


Academic Honesty Statement

Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent (http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/).


Chegg, Discord and other online help resources

Seeking answers from any website is a clear violation of the academic honesty policy, while submitting course materials to these sites or similar ones is a violation of the instructor's copyright. Instructors may be monitoring such websites throughout the semester.





Links

Open sourse software "sage" could be used to do linear algebra computations
Main sage website
Use sage online (you will need to create a username and password).
Quick reference guide to linear algebra in sage.

MIT Linear algebra course (lecture videos and course materials freely available).

Google is powered by linear algebra:
Expository article, Original article (see Section 2.1).