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Math 417.xxx, Fall 2011

(version 05 September, 2011)

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Course information

Instructor: Prof. Robert Griess home page

Office 3062 East Hall. Office hours Fall 2011 are 12-1 MWF, or by appointment.

Textbook: Linear Algebra with Applications, fourth edition, by Otto Bretscher (Prentice Hall, publisher).

Readings and HW problems will be assigned from the fourth edition. I do not know exactly what are the differences between the fourth and earlier editions. If you rely on an earlier edition, you are responsible for comparing with the fourth edition to be sure that you are doing the right problems, etc. I will not provide a comparison or copies of fourth edition problems.

We expect to cover about the first eight chapters of the text. The course introduces both theory and applications of linear algebra with emphasis on matrix work.

Class signup list:

You will be put in homework groups. Homework will be due about once a week. Group members should meet and communicate several times before settling on a single solution to each problem. The group shall turn in one set of solutions. Participating members should sign the set. Nonparticipating members should not have their name appear and they will not get credit. Homework group membership will be changed every few weeks, so you will get a chance to work with many classmates.

Every group member should be involved in every problem. Engagement and discussions within the group are very educational. Division of the problems among group members with little interaction is strongly discouraged. You would lose opportunity to learn and likely suffer on exams.

If you decide to leave this section, please inform both your group members and me promptly. I need to know in case I have to place new class members in a group. Please inform me if there are communication problems, repeated no-shows at meetings, etc.

I will put out homework assignments by email.

Homework 25%
Best quiz grades for three out of five quizzes (3 x 5%=) 15% total, -- i.e. two worst grades are dropped
Exam 1 20%
Exam 2 20%
Final 20%

A week-by-week syllabus will be provided soon. Quizzes shall be in class, the final thirty minutes. Exams will be scheduled for weekday evenings, probably 7-9pm. The syllabus will include information about help sessions for quizzes and exams. Final exam times may be obtained on the academic calendar link at www.umich.edu or on the website syllabus for your particular section.

During quizzes and exams, notes, books or calculators are not allowed AND all mobile phones shall be TURNED OFF.

Please read text material ahead of time scheduled for class presentation.