Introduction to Linear Algebra (Math 301)
Linear algebra from a matrix perspective with applications from the applied sciences. Topics include the algebra of matrices, methods for solving linear systems of equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, matrix decompositions, and linear transformations. Prerequisites: Math 170, Math 175.
- Basic course information
- Required textbook and other resources
- Lectures
- Homework assignments
- Exams
- Grading policy
Send me an e-mail
Please send me an e-mail at donnacalhoun@boisestate.edu so that I can compile an e-mail list for the class. At the very least, include a subject header that says "Math 301". You may leave the message area blank, if you wish, or send me a short note about what you hope to get out of this course.
Basic course information
| Instructor | Prof. Donna Calhoun |
| Office | Mathematics 241A |
| Time | Monday/Wednesday 12:00-1:15 |
| Place | Mathematics 104 |
| Office Hours | Tuesday 1:30-3:00 |
| Prerequesites | Math 175 |
Required textbook and other resources
- Linear Algebra with Applications, Second Edition, by Jeffrey Holt. W. H. Freeman, (2017) (required).
- Web-Assign, by . (required).
Lectures
We will stick the following schedule as much as possible.
| Week #1 (Jan. 13) |
Monday --
Introduction to Linear Algebra; Sections 1.1
Wednesday --
Section 1.2 : Linear Systems and Matrices
|
| Week #2 (Jan. 20) |
Monday --
Martin Luther King Day (no class)
Wednesday --
Section 1.2 - cont.
|
| Week #3 (Jan. 27) |
Monday --
Section 1.3 : Applications
Wednesday --
Section 2.1 : Vectors; Section 2.2 : Span
|
| Week #4 (Feb. 3) |
Monday --
Section 2.3 : Linear Independence
Wednesday --
Section 2.3 : Linear Independence (cont)
|
| Week #5 (Feb. 10) |
Monday --
Section 3.1 : Linear transformations
Wednesday --
Section 3.2 : Matrix algebra
|
| Week #6 (Feb. 17) |
Monday --
President's Day (no class)
Wednesday --
Midterm #1
|
| Week #7 (Feb. 24) |
Tuesday --
Section 3.3 : Matrix Inverse
Thursday --
Section 3.5 : Markov chains
|
| Week #8 (Mar. 2) |
Monday --
Markov chains (continued)
Wednesday --
Markov Chains (continued)
|
| Week #9 (Mar. 9) |
Monday --
Section 4.1 : Introduction to subspaces
Wednesday --
Section 4.2 : Basis and dimension
|
| Week #10 (Mar. 16) |
Monday --
Section 4.3 : Row and column spaces
Wednesday --
Section 4.3 : Row and column spaces (cont.)
|
| Week #11 (Mar. 30) |
Wednesday --
Section 5.2 : Properties of Determinants
|
| Week #12 (Apr. 6) |
Monday --
Midterm #2
Wednesday --
5.3: Applications of determinants
|
| Week #13 (Apr. 13) |
Monday --
Section 6.1 : Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
Wednesday --
Section 6.2 : Diagonalization
|
| Week #14 (Apr. 20) |
Monday --
Section 6.2 : Diagonalization (cont.)
Wednesday --
Section 6.3 : Complex Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
|
| Week #15 (Apr. 27) |
Monday --
Review : Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
|
Homework assignments
Homework assignments are to be done on WebAssign are due at 11:59PM of the due date listed in WebAssign.
| Homework #1 |
Due TBA This assignment is on WebAssign |
Exams
We will have two midterms and one final exam
| Midterm #1 | Date: Wednesday, February 19 |
| Midterm #2 | Date: Monday, April 6th |
| Final | Date: Monday, May 4 The final is 12:00-2:00 in our regular classroom |
You can find the Final Exam calendar here.
Grading policy
Homework will count for 25% of your final grade, and the two midterms and final will count for 75%. A 90% and above will earn you an A, between 80% and 90% will earn you at least a B, between 70% and 80% will be at least a C, and below 60% will be a D or F. If there is any deviation from this grading policy, it will be to lower the percentages, i.e. you could still earn an A with less than 90%, but you will never need more than 90%.