Prerequisite Classes

Office Hours

Office Location and Phone

• Physical Science building PS114A
• Office phone: (707) 476-4222

Cancelled Classes

Email

Blackboard

Click the Blackboard icon that follows. This will initiate contact with BlackbBoard. Read the Student Introduction, User Name and Password, and Getting Help sections. Be sure to write down your login name and password for future reference. Once you login to Blackboard, locate your math class and take some time to find out what is provided. In particular, you'll want to update your personal information, especially your email address. Then read the "welcome message" in the Discussion Board and reply to this thread. In the future, use the Discussion Board to discuss issues and problems you are having with your class.

Texts

• Introduction to Linear Algebra, Third Edition, Strang, Wellesley-Cambridge Press

Computing Resources

Transferring Files to and from the Department Server

Along with your username and password, which allow you to log on to computers in the Math/Science/Engineering computer labs and print your class assignments, you are granted some file storage space on the Math department's file server, MSEMac, which allows you to save files files and access them at school as well as at home. Using the server to store and back up your class files will help ensure that you are always up-to-date on your assignments, will let you work on projects in multiple places, can guard against computer failure, and lets you transfer files from campus and back without needing a memory stick.

The process for connecting to MSEMac is different for Macs and PCs (the former is somewhat simpler). If you have a Mac, please read our guide to connecting to MSEMac for Macs, and if you have a PC, please read our guide to connecting to MSEMac for PCs.

Computer Lab -- Code of Conduct

Please see labconduct.html for a set of rules and guidelines for computer use and maintaining decorum in the study rooms available in the physical sciences building.

Calculators

Matlab

If you do not have a computer capable of running the Matlab software, then you can take advantage of the computing power located in rooms PS116 and PS118. Matlab is installed on each of these machines for use by students in differential equations.

You can also purchase the student edition of Matlab 7 here. Please check here to see if your system has adequate hardware to run this release of Matlab. A number of copies of the Student Edition of Matlab 7, Release 14, are available in the bookstore.

The best source I know of for learning Matlab 7 is Mastering Matlab 6 which can be purchased online. This text is accompanied with a host of great programs that are available here.
 

Exams and Quizzes

However, this is really not a good way to learn. Often, students are frustrated to find themselves behind in their other classes as they stuggle to prepare for an exam. They are unable to participate in lectures and they cannot follow the material in class because they are sections behind in their work. This is also frustrating for the teacher as he often winds up talking to himself during lecture.

Consequently, I've decided that this semester I am not going to give any examinations at all in Math 45. Instead, I will give "weekly quizzes" for you to work on which will be graded carefully.

Homework

"Daily homework" will be assigned each class and is due the next class period. Each "daily homework" assigment is worth 10 pts. I will scrutinize your work rather quickly, noting whether it is complete and whether you are following all directions given on the assignment. A score ranging from 0-10 points will be awarded.

There is a "grace period" on "daily homework" of one class period. This means that I will allow homework that is late by one class period, but no later. Any homework that is turned in after the "grace period" will receive no credit. Two points will automatically be deducted for any homework that is turned in using the "grace period."

In order to facilitate the grading of "daily homework," students are required to place their name in the upper right-hand corner of their homework assignment and staple the pages together with a single staple in the upper left-hand corner. On the first line of the paper, please write down the assignement number, the pages that encompass the assignement, and list each exercise number assigned. For example, the first line of your homework might read:

Student Projects

Project Requirements

• You may work alone or as a team. Teams may be composed of no more than two students. If you work as a team, each student must share equally in the workload and verbal presentation of the project. That is, both students must speak before the class. You may not have one student give the oral part of the presentation while the other student handles the visuals, for example.
• The subject of the project must be a real world application of linear algebra. There are several good sources for potential projects:
• The periodical stacks at the CR or HSU library are a good source for potential projects. Often, it is best to skim the bibliographies of various textbooks for papers involving modeling in disciplines of interest to you before going to the library to search through the periodicals.
• Harvey Mudd College has catalogued all articles in the College Mathematics Journal (Formerly the Two Year College Mathematics Journal) and the Mathematics Magazine of the MAA. A searchable database is available at http://www.math.hmc.edu/journalsearch/.
• There are a number of important environmental sources in our area that you might find potentially inetersting: the pulp mill, the power plant, Pacific Lumber, etc.
• The HSU mathematics department is famous for its mathematical modeling. You might try contacting one of the professors there for a potential project idea. A number of CR mathematics faculty earned their degress at HSU and may suggest project ideas of interest.
• I personally collect papers on applications of linear algebra. See me in my office if you would like to browse my collection.
• The individual students or student teams must present their projects to the class. This presentation should include creative and appropriate use of technology as well as use of linear algebra technique learned during the semester. You may also use linear algebra technique that was not covered during the semester. For example, if you do project in digital image processing that requires the use of the singular value decomposition, then you may take the time to learn the singular value deomposition and include this technique in your report and presentation.
• An accompanying paper is required which must be typeset using Latex. All papers are due by Friday of finals week.
• Create a folder in your workspace on the network. Place all image files that you intend to use in this folder. Use LaTeX and WinEdt in the lab to type your paper. Save this file and all associated image files in your folder. If you'd like to set up a TeX system on your home computer, see your instructor for directions.
• All papers submitted by students will be published on our web site. However, some may object to their papers being placed in such a public forum. Please speak to your instructor privately if you do not wish your paper to be published on the web.
• The project is mandatory. You will not pass the class if you fail to complete and present your student project.
• Presenters should limit their talk to 15 minutes.
• Both the presentation and the paper will be considered equally when determining final grades for the project.

• Remember that you have all semester to work through the intricate details of the mathematics required by your topic. However, you will quickly put your audience to sleep if you pound them with too much mathematical detail during your presentation. It may be better to explain your choice of technique, present the results, then concentrate more on the entertaininment side of your topic during the presentation. Carefully built slides or programmed simulations will capture the attention of the audience, while a sea of mathematical detail might quickly put them to sleep.
• However, your paper is a completely different story. It is expected that you will include both the results and images as well as all of the mathematics that produced them. Concentrate on clearly presenting all of the work that you have put into your topic, including all relevant mathematics.

Grades