Cal Poly Mathematics

Math 244-03, Linear Analysis
Spring 2009

Time: MTRF 12-1
Location: Building 38, Room 227

Instructor: Dr. Ben Richert
Office: Building 25, Room 325
Office phone: (75)6-1681
Office hours: M: 11-12; T:9-10; R:9-10; F:11-12, 2-3; and by appointment.
Email: brichert@calpoly.edu
Anonymous Feedback Form: http://www.calpoly.edu/~brichert/teaching/244/feedback03.html

Course description: Differential equations an linear algebra are two subjects of mathematical study which are invaluable to modeling and problem solving in the real world, as well as being interesting as objects of study in their own right). Now that we have finished the calculus sequence (141, 142, and 143), we have the firepower and mathematical maturity to consider these more advanced topics. In particular, we will consider separable an linear ordinary differential equations along with their numerical and analytical solutions and selected applications. We will also study vectors in n-space, matrices, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and diagonalization. These two ideas will intersect in the later chapters as we consider applications of the techniques from linear algebra to the study of systems of linear differential equations.

Course home page: http://www.calpoly.edu/~brichert/teaching/244/244-03.html, or access via Blackboard.

Text: Edwards/Penney/Greenberg, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra--Custom Edition for Cal Poly SLO, Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2006.

Syllabus: During the quarter, we will cover a substantial portion of chapters 1-7 of the textbook.

Prerequisites: Math 143.

Grades: Grades will be based on homework, two midterms, and a cumulative final exam. Each of the midterms and the final counts for 28%. The homework counts for 16%. In the computation of your grade, the lower of your two midterm scores will be replaced by the score you received on the final, if that will improve your standing.

Reading: Students are expected to read the section of the text to be covered on a given day before the lecture. You can find the section number for a given day under the Homework tab on Blackboard (or go directly to http://www.calpoly.edu/~brichert/teaching/244/homework03.html

Homework: Homework will be due twice a week---those problems assigned Monday and Tuesday will be due on Friday, while those assigned Thursday and Friday will be due the following Tuesday. Your lowest homework score will be dropped and therefore no late homework will be accepted. Each homework assignment will be worth 10 points, determined as follows. First, a single problem will be chosen and graded on a scale of 0 to 5. The other 5 points will be awarded based on the grader's perception of the completeness of the assignment (a totally complete assignment is worth 5 points; missing or incomplete problems will result in points being deducted).

Exams: There will be two in-class exams and one cumulative final. Exam 1 is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd. Exam 2 is scheduled for Thursday, May 21st. The cumulative final will be held from 10-1 on Wednesday, June 10th.