Math 290 Elementary Algebra
Course Syllabus
Course Information
Time
MW 3–3:50 PM
Place
Snowberry Hall 120
Text
Elementary Linear Algebra, by Larson and Falvo (6th edition).
Instructor
Professor Smith
Office
Snowberry Hall Room 123
Phone
555-555-5555
Email
Office hours
Monday 1–2 PM, and Tuesday 1–3 PM or by appointment.
Tentative Course Coverage
The course will cover the systems of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, linear transformations and some applications. Roughly these sections will be covered: 1.1–1.3, 2.1–2.3, 2.5, 3.1–3.3, 3.5, 4.1–4.6, 6.1–6.3, 7.1–7.2, 7.4. If time permits, additional topics will be covered.
Homework
There will be 10 sets of homework, due on the following Wednesdays: 8/31, 9/21, 9/28, 10/05, 10/19, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7. Each homework set consists of roughly 15 problems, but only 3 of them will be graded, which will be decided after you turn in your homework. The lowest homework grade will be dropped. No late homework will be accepted.
Exams
There will be 3 midterm tests of 50 minutes, which are in class. The lowest of the 3 midterm scores will be dropped. The midterm exams are tentatively set on the following dates: 9/14, 10/26, and 11/21.
There is a comprehensive final exam; the date is Dec. 13, 1:30–4 PM, and the room is to be determined.
Calculator and Crib Sheet
TI-83/84 or similar graphing calculators are allowed in both exams and homeworks. Crib sheets are allowed in exams. For the midterms, a crib sheet is allowed on one side of a half page of 8.5″×11″ paper; for the final, one side of a full page of 8.5″×11″ paper is allowed.
Final Grade
Homework (30%) + Midterms (40%) + Final Exam (30%). Tentatively, a total of 85% will be in the A range, 75% in the B range, 60% in the C range, and 45% in the D range.
Class Policies
- Lecture attendance is strongly recommended.
- Group study and discussion are encouraged; however, the homework must be completed independently.
- You are strongly encouraged to work on as many exercises as possible.
- No make-up exams without a good reason (a written and signed notice to the instructor is required).
- Please go through the class schedule carefully and mark all the important dates for exams and homeworks in your calendar to avoid any conflict.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability for which you may request accommodation in KU classes, please contact the office of the staff of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), 135 Strong, 785-864-2620. Please also see the instructor privately in regard to this course.
Policy on Religious Observances
All students in this course who plan to observe a religious holiday which conflicts in any way with the course schedule or requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternative accommodations.
Homework Sets
(All homework is due in class on the dates listed below.)
| Set | Due date | Sections & problems |
|---|---|---|
| 1st hw | 8/31 | Sec. 1.1: 4, 6, 8, 14, 52; Sec. 1.2: 6, 12, 14, 18, 30; Sec. 1.3: 3, 6, 8, 25, 26. |
| 2nd hw | 9/21 | Sec. 2.1: 5, 8, 12, 16, 30, 34, 39; Sec. 2.2: 8, 12, 16, 17, 21, 24, 40, 44; Sec. 2.3: 6, 10, 13, 25(a), 36, 37, 40. |
| 3rd hw | 9/28 | Sec. 2.5: 4, 8, 10, 36, 38, 43, 44; Sec. 3.1: 10, 12, 20, 22, 30, 50, 58. |
| 4th hw | 10/5 | Sec. 3.2: 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 48; Sec. 3.3: 4, 10, 24, 30, 42, 61, 66. |
| 5th hw | 10/19 | Sec. 3.5: 4, 6, 8, 15, 18, 28, 43; Sec. 4.1: 20, 22, 46, 48, 50; Sec. 4.2: 10, 16, 26, 27, 29(b). |
| 6th hw | 11/2 | Sec. 4.3: 7, 9, 16, 21, 29, 34, 42, 47; Sec. 4.4: 3(b), 20, 21, 28, 33, 37, 42, 48, 65. |
| 7th hw | 11/9 | Sec. 4.5: 3, 5, 16, 28, 42, 63, 68, 74; Sec. 4.6: 4, 6, 8, 14, 18, 27, 33, 36. |
| 8th hw | 11/16 | Sec. 6.1: 6, 12, 15, 21, 26, 55, 66, 71; Sec. 6.2: 4, 7, 10, 14, 18, 20, 52. |
| 9th hw | 11/30 | Sec. 6.3: 4, 7, 20, 25, 40, 43, 46, 48; Sec. 7.1: 6, 12, 20, 22, 24, 28, 59, 65. |
| 10th hw | 12/7 | Sec. 7.2: 4, 10, 12, 18, 20, 31, 32; Sec. 7.4: 1, 3, 9, 10, 14, 18, 20. |
Practice Midterms
- The first practice midterm and the key to this practice.
- The second practice midterm and the key to this practice.
- The third practice midterm and the key to this practice.
(Update the file names/paths above to match your actual documents.)
Instructions on Turning in Your Homework
Put a cover page on top of your work and staple all pages in the upper-left corner. Write your name on the upper-right corner and nothing else. Please do not write your ID number on the homework and underline your last name on the cover page. Your homework may not be graded if you do not follow these instructions.
Online Resources
This course has been taught before by professors in the math department; you may consult their webpages for some useful information. See, for instance, Prof. Y. Kachi’s class webpage and Prof. R. Torres’ class webpage (note that our course schedule and format follow closely with that).