Goals for student learning:

• Systems of Linear Equations using Gauss Elimination, and using Matrices
• Problems involving Matrix Arithmetic (addition, multiplication, inverse)
• For the Determinant of a matrix by several methods
• 2D and 3D Vector Problems including Vector Products (Dot and Cross) and be able to use Vectors to describe Lines and Planes.
• Vector Space Problems including Finding Bases, Use of the Gram-Schmidt Process and Change of Basis.
• Linear Transformation Problems including Similarity Transformations
• For Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors of a matrix
• Based on class vote for the order of coverage, you will learn to solve problems involving as many of the following topics as time permits

Suggested Learning Behaviors:

• Be an active class participant: Read the material in the text before we talk about it in class so that you are aware of any challenging areas. Ask an appropriate probing question as a difficult subject is covered. In this way you will focus the lecture time where it will help you the most.
• Be an active practitioner: Do all the problems that have answers posted in the back of the book (or as close to a representative sampling of them as you can - the situation is simple - the more you do, the more you will learn and the better you will do in this class). If your answer does not agree with the answer in the back of the textbook, arrive at class three minutes early. Put the problem up on the board, as far as you can go (i.e., list what is given, what is requested, do as much as you can, sketch roughly, if appropriate, etc. At the start of the class we will talk about how to take the next step and your efforts will insure that I will be talking directly to your concerns instead of rehashing the stuff you already know. Of course, if you prefer, get help with that problem somehow: use my office hours, talk to a friend, or develop your stick-to-itiveness and solve it by trial and error yourself. )
• Don't make the same mistake twice: If you do not get an exam problem correct, find out how to do it in case that type of problem shows up again later in the semester. (Hint: It will!) Everything in this course is cumulative and each concept and procedure builds on earlier work.
• Work alone, then share your solutions with a classmate: You will find you will solidify and clarify your own understanding of the concepts when you explain them to someone else. If you form a learning/study team with a classmate, you will benefit not only from the teaching experience but also from your colleague's efforts and explanations on problems you did not tackle. Agree to a joint study plan, divide up the problems between you, and arrange a regular time to pool your solo efforts. Working both separately and together is usually a more efficient use of your study time than the same amount of time always working alone or always working together.

Expect "surprise" quizzes

The Average of your best score on the 4 exams you took will be assigned a final letter grade according to the following scheme:

• A-= 90,91; A=92-95; A+= 96,or higher
• B- =80,81; B=82-87; B+=88,89
• C-=70,71; C=72-77; C+=78,79
• D-=60,61; D=62-67; D+=68,69
• F = 59 and lower.

All other class activities (surprise quizzes, participation, ...) will be used to resolve situations were an average falls on a borderline between two grades.

Office: Blodgett 8C, in Physics Department Suite
Office Hours:

• MW 12:00- 12:50 pm
• TR 10:50-12:00
• TR 3:05-4:20 pm