MAT 211: INTRODUCTION TO LINEAR ALGEBRA

Fall 2008

SUNY at Stony Brook
Department of Mathematics
SUNY at Stony Brook 

Schedule: MW2:20-3:40 Earth&Space 079

Instructor: Mikhail  Movshev, Math Tower 4-109 , Phone: (631) 632-8271,
email: mmovshev ad math dot sunysb dot edu

Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00-11:00 and 13:00-14:00 or any time after 1:00PM Monday and Wednesday (if you catch me)

Grader: Long Li,e-mail llong at math.sunysb.edu Office hours Thur. 6:00pm - 8:00pm at SL 240c (in the basement, near the MLC)

Text: Otto Bretscher, Linear Algebra with Applications, Prentice Hall, 3rd Edition, 2005, ISBN 0-13-145334-3.

About the course: The aim of this course is to introduce the students to linear algebra.

The topics in the course are: Systems of linear equations and the Gauss-Jordan Algorithm, vectors, vector spaces, bases and dimension, inner products, applications to Geometry, linear transformations, determinants, eigenvalues, eigenvectors and linear dynamical systems. We will cover most of the material from the first seven chapters of the textbook.

A tentative syllabus and assignments will be updated according to the progress of the class.

Prerequisites: C or higher in AMS 151 or Mat 131 or 141; or co-registration in MAT 126; or level 7 on the mathematics placement examination.

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be determined by your scores on

Homework: Homework will be assigned after each class and will be collected and graded weekly.  Homework is due in class (see the schedule); only part of the homework will be graded. 

Exam Schedule:
First Midterm :Oct 22
Second Midterm: Nov 19
Final Exam: TBA
The final exam is CUMULATIVE.

MIDTERM I(avg.=4,8, St Dev.=2,1) Grade assignment:

A:7,5-10

A-:7-7,4

B+:6,5-6,9

B:5,5-6,4

B-:5-5,4

C+:4,1-4,9

C:3-4

C-:2-2,9

D:0-1,9


DSS advisory. If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services at (631) 632-6748 or http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/dss/. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate.  All information and documentation is confidential.

Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following website: http://www.sunysb.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities.shtml

Additional help:  The Math Learning Center, located in room S-240A of the Math-Tower basement, may be a useful source of help if you have difficulties with your homework. For more information about the Math Learning Center, visit their web-site.