SYLLABUS: MATH 311-504, SPRING 2016
Course information
Course title:
Course number:
Section number:
Course website:
Meeting times:
Classroom:
Topics in Applied Mathematics I
MATH 311
504
http://ecampus.tamu.edu/
TR 11:10 a.m.–12:25 p.m.
HELD 109
Course Description
This is an introductory course in linear algebra and advanced vector calculus, covering “[s]ystems of
linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors,
diagonalization, inner product spaces, orthogonal functions; vector analysis, including gradient, divergence,
curl, line and surface integrals, Gauss’, Green’s and Stokes’ theorems.” The prerequisites for this course
are MATH 221, MATH 251, or MATH 253; MATH 308 or concurrent enrollment; and junior or senior
classification or approval of instructor
Learning Outcomes
The aim of this course is to give engineering, computer science, and physics majors a strong working
knowledge of linear algebra and a more sophisticated perspective on vector calculus, with an emphasis on
applications and problem solving. In particular, by the end of the course, students will be expected to
solve linear systems via row reduction methods, relate the notions of abstract linear algebra to concrete
linear systems and linear differential equations, and deepen their knowledge of vector calculus through the
perspective of linear algebra.
Instructor Information
Name:
Dr Branimir Ćaćić
Email address:
branimir@math.tamu.edu
Website:
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~branimir/
Office:
Blocker 633G
Office hours: Monday, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Tuesday 2:00 pm–3:00 p.m., Wednesday 3:00-4:00 p.m.
and by appointment.
If you don’t know how to pronounce my last name, don’t worry—in fact, I’d be much more surprised if
you did. It’s basically pronounced CHAHcheech, with stress on the first syllable.
With regards to e-mail, when you do e-mail me, please include MATH 311 and your name in the header,
so that I know it’s about class business.
Class Resources
Textbook. The textbook is Math 311: Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus, 1st Edition, by Steven J. Leon
and Susan J. Colley.
Help Sessions. Every week there will be drop-in help sessions, held Monday–Tuesday at 7:00–9:30 p.m. in
Blocker 117.
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/helpsessions.html
Calculator Policy. Calculators will not be allowed on the midterms or on the final, and you will be
expected to show your computational work on your problem sets. However, at no point in this course will
you actually need a calculator.
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MATH 311-504, SPRING 2016
Grading policies
Homework. There will be a weekly problem set due each Thursday (except the first week of classes and the
week of a midterm), at the start of class, on the material of the week before. Owing to logistical constraints,
not every question will be marked, but you are nonetheless responsible for completing the entire problem
set; indeed, this will be in your best interest, since the midterms and final will, to a great extent, be based
on homework problems. Moreover, I will drop the worst problem set.
Midterm tests. There will be two in-class midterms, tentatively scheduled as follows:
Exam
Date
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
Thursday, February 25
Thursday, April 7
Final exam. We will have a cumulative final exam on Thursday, May 5 at 3:00–5:00 p.m. in HELD 109.
Grades. Your final numerical grade will be composed as follows:
Homework
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
Final
15%
25%
25%
35%
Total
100%
and will then be converted to a letter grade as follows:
Numerical Grade
Letter Grade
90 ≤ x ≤ 100
80 ≤ x < 90
70 ≤ x < 80
60 ≤ x < 70
0 ≤ x < 60
A
B
C
D
F
However, I reserve the right to adjust final grades upward (i.e., to your benefit!) in accordance with the
relative difficulty of the midterms and (particularly) the final.
Attendance and make-up policy
Make-ups for exams (midterms or final) will only be given, and late problem sets allowed, only for
documented University-approved excuses as outlined in Student Rule 7:
http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07
Whenever possible, please notify me in advance if you will miss an exam or submit a problem set late because
of such an excuse. In any event, in accordance with University regulations, you must submit documentation
to me within two business days, or else forfeit your right to a make-up or late submission of your problem
set.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that
all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact
Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White
Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information, visit
http://disability.tamu.edu.
MATH 311-504, SPRING 2016
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Academic Integrity
Integrity is one of the core values that define the Aggie character, and in particular, all Aggies are expected
to adhere to the Aggie Code of Honour:
Aggies do not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those that do.
In the context of this class, you are expected to complete your midterms, and finals entirely on your own
and without any aids whatsoever; anything to the contrary will be considered a violation of the honour code,
and will therefore be handled in accordance with University regulations, cf.
http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/.
That said, I strongly encourage you to study together, and in particular to work on the homework together,
though you are responsible for writing up your work entirely on your own.