Mathematics 2270
Linear Algebra
Spring 2008
Class: MTWF 10:45-11:35 am BU C 305.
Instructor: Russ Richins, richins@math.utah.edu, 585-6845,
http://www.math.utah.edu/~richins/teaching/2270/math2270.html
Office: JWB 321. Office hours will be held before regular class time on Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 to
10:30. If these times do not work for you, I will be happy to make an appointment.
Text: Linear Algebra with Applications, Third Edition by Otto Bretscher.
Grading: Your grade will be based on the following:
Weekly Quizzes
In-class tests
Computational projects
Final Exam
30%
30%
10%
30%
The quizzes will be given during the first 10-15 minutes of class each Wednesday. Each quiz will consist of two
problems or two parts of the same problem and will be graded out of 10 points. You can drop your lowest two quiz
scores. The quiz problems will come directly out of the suggested homework for the class. The list of suggested
homework problems is available on the class website. If you are able to do all the problems about material that
has been covered, you should have no problem with the quizzes.
The tests will be held on the following dates:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final
February 13
March 12
April 9
April 25 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Please take note of the dates of the exams so that you can be present for them. Only in extenuating circumstances
will a test be given outside of these times. If approved, a test may be taken early, but late tests will only be given
in the most extreme circumstances. If a test is given late, it will be in an oral format, which will make it more
difficult. Tests will be similar to the homework and quizzes given in class. The final will be comprehensive.
There will be two computer projects. The first will be due on March 12 (the date of exam 2) and the second will
be due at the final. We will have a class meeting in the math computer lab (LCB 115) to outline each project. I
will announce the lab days beforehand. You may work on the projects in groups of 1, 2, or 3 people. Only one
copy of the project needs to be handed in with the names of all group members.
Material: We will cover all of chapters 1-8 with a few possible exceptions due to time constraints. I will let you
know ahead of time which sections might be skipped. Although Calculus is a prerequisite for this course, we
probably won’t use it much. A good starting point for this class is an understanding of the methods used in
solving a system of linear equations, just like you may have learned about in Math 1010 or Math 1050.
Students with Disabilities: If you will need accomodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given
to the instructor and to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD) to make
arrangements for accomodations.
1