Math 242 – Elementary Linear Algebra – Syllabus – Summer 2013
Arizona State University, Tempe
Instructor: Scott Surgent
Webpage: math.asu.edu/~surgent
Office: ECA-208
Email: surgent@asu.edu
Class: T-W-Th 6:10-7:35 pm, SLN 45584, Rm PSA-103
Course Description: Introduces matrices, systems of linear equations, determinants, vector spaces, linear
transformations and eigenvalues. Emphasizes development and computational skills.
Prerequisite: MAT 210, MAT 251, MAT 265 or MAT 270 with C or better.
Textbook: Elementary Linear Algebra (Prentice Hall, 1st Ed.) Edwards & Penney, or Linear Algebra Without
Theory, C. C. Heckman.
Week/Days
Week 1
May 21, 22, 23
Week 2
May 28, 29, 30
Week 3
June 4, 5, 6
Week 4
June 11, 12, 13
Week 5
June 18, 19, 20
Week 6
June 25, 26, 27
Schedule
Topics
Introduction to Linear Systems, Matrices and Gaussian Elimination,
Gauss-Jordan Elimination.
Matrix Operations, Matrix Inverses, Determinants, Determinants with
Elementary Row Operations, Cramer’s Rule
Vector Spaces, Subspaces, Linear Combinations and Independence,
Spans and Bases.
Bases of Vector Spaces, Row and Column Spaces, Rank, Nullity,
Coordinates, Change of Basis
Introduction to Eigenvalues and Eigenspaces, Diagonalization, Dot
(Inner) Product, Projections, Orthogonality, Gram-Schmidt Process
Orthogonal Subspaces, Projections, Least Squares Curve Fitting,
Review.
Notes
Midterm,
June 6th.
Final Exam,
June 27th.
Homework: Homework consists of written assignments and online (WebWork) assignments.
Exams: The two exams will be given in class on the days noted in the syllabus. A calculator is not allowed for the
first exam. All internet-capable devices are to be turned off, and cheating in any form is cause for immediate failure
and academic dishonesty proceedings.
Grade Allocations: Midterm: 30%, Final: 30%, Webwork: 20%, Written Homework and Quizzes: 20%.
Grade Scale: A: [90,100], B: [80, 90), C: [70, 80), D: [60, 70), E: [0, 60). Plus and minus are used in special
circumstances.
Extra Credit: Don’t expect any.
Grade on the “Curve”: No.
Calculator: A TI-83/84 is preferred.
Attendance: Mandatory. You have up to 4 absences, at which time I reserve the right to grant the EN or failure due
to non-attendance. Quizzes may not be made up due to an absence.
Academic Integrity: ASU expects and requires all its students to act with honesty and integrity, and respect the
rights of others in carrying out all academic assignments. For more information on academic integrity, including the
policy and appeal procedures, please visit http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity and the Student Conduct
Statement below.
Student Conduct Statement: Students are required to adhere to the behavior standards listed in Arizona Board of
Regents Policy Manual: Code of Conduct:
http://www.abor.asu.edu/1_the_regents/policymanual/chap5/5Section_C.pdf;
ACD 125: Computer, Internet, and Electronic Communications
http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd125.html;
and the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy
http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/studentlife/srr/index.htm.
Students are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other members of the class. If a student is
disruptive, an instructor may ask the student to stop the disruptive behavior and warn the student that such
disruptive behavior can result in withdrawal from the course. An instructor may withdraw a student from a course
when the student's behavior disrupts the educational process under USI 201-10,
http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/usi/usi201-10.html.
Honor Policy & Ethics:
See: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/studentlife/judicial/academic_integrity.htm
The grade of XE: A grade of XE is reserved for "failure for academic dishonesty." The grade goes on the student's
transcript; the student needs to petition to have it removed after 1 year.
Regarding cheating: I appeal to your sense of maturity and ethics in asking you to not cheat, to not abide by those
who do, and to approach the material correctly. If you are struggling, see me first! Don’t get lulled into cheating.
The amount of work it takes to cheat properly is more than what it would take to just study the regular way and
approach the class honestly. Besides, I can recognize bad or suspicious math a mile away. You’re only fooling
yourself.
The grade of Incomplete: A grade of incomplete will be awarded only in the event that a documented emergency
or illness prevents the student who is doing acceptable work from completing a small percentage of the course
requirements. The guidelines in the current general ASU catalog regarding a grade of incomplete will be strictly
followed.
Instructor-Initiated Drop: At the instructor's discretion, any student who has not attended class during the first
week of classes may be administratively dropped from the course. However, students should be aware that nonattendance would NOT automatically result in their being dropped from the course. Thus, a student should not
assume they are no longer registered for a course simply because they did not attend class during the first week. It
is the student's responsibility to be aware of their registration status.