General Information

Textbook

David Lay, Lay and McDonald, Linear Algebra and its applications, Fifth edition (ISBN: 978-0321982384).

Scheduled Lectures

Sarah Frei
(Section 9L) MWF 8:50—9:55
(x-hour) Th 9:05—9:55
Kemeny 105

Alex Wilson
(Section 11) MWF 11:30—12:35
(x-hour) Tu 12:15-1:05
Kemeny 008

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Instructors

Professor Sarah Frei
Office: 314 Kemeny Hall
Office Hours: M 1pm-2pm, Tu 11am-12pm, W 3pm-4pm
Contact via email: sarah.frei(at)dartmouth.edu (Replace the (at) with an @).

Professor Alex Wilson
Office: 213 Kemeny Hall
Office Hours: Thu 9am-10am (virtual), W 2pm-3pm (Kemeny 121), F 2pm-3pm (Kemeny 121)
Contact via email: awilson(at)math.dartmouth.edu (Replace the (at) with an @).

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Course Description

Linear algebra is the study of vector spaces and the linear transformations between such spaces. In this class we will work mostly with the vector space Rn. We will learn how to represent linear transformations with matrices and study different types of linear transformations, such as diagonalizable transformations. During the last weeks of classes we will concentrate on applications. For a more detailed description on the topics we will learn in this class see the day to day Syllabus.

Linear algebra is very important for both pure and applied mathematics. This is one of the reasons that it is a prerequisite for almost all of your math major courses and other STEM subjects. The techniques of linear algebra are used in engineering, physics, natural sciences, computer science and economics. For example, when we combine calculus with linear algebra we can solve linear systems of differential equations.

Goals of the course:

  • Students will learn the main concepts and techniques in linear algebra.
  • Students will learn some applications of linear algebra.
  • Students will be prepared for more advanced courses in mathematics, computer science, physics and any other subject that require linear algebra.

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    Exams

    There will be two midterm exams and a cumulative final exam. The exams are scheduled as follows:

    Exam 1 Thurs 10/6, 7-9 pm Room TBD
    Exam 2 Thurs 10/27, 7-9 pm Room TBD
    Final Exam Tues 11/22, 11:30am-2:30pm Room TBD

    The midterms will be in person, 2-hours in length and the final is a 3-hour exam scheduled by the registrar. More information will be provided by your instructor in the week before the midterm.

    If you have a conflict with one of the midterm exams because of a religious observance, scheduled extracurricular activity such as a game or performance, scheduled laboratory for another course, or similar commitment, please see your instructor as soon as possible.

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    Tutorials

    Our graduate teaching assistants Jay Chen and Jessica Rattray will run tutorials Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 7:00-9:00pm in Kemeny Hall 105, focusing on answering your questions as you work through understanding the concepts. You can get help with any questions you have regarding the course topics and homework assignments. Tutorials are open to all Math 22 students. You don't need an appointment. ▲

    Grades

    The course grade will be computed as follows:

    Percent of Final Grade
    WebWork 12
    Midterms 40 (20 each)
    Homework 15
    Discussion participation 8
    Final Exam 25

    Homework and Discussion participation will be further explained below.

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    Homework Policy

    Written Homework: Written homework assignments will be assigned once a week and will be posted on Canvas. It will be collected once a week every Wednesday via Gradescope.

  • Check the calendar on Canvas for due dates for the written homework.
  • You may have a 24-hour extension on any two (2) written assignments you choose. You should notify your instructor of your intention to use the extension before the assignment deadline.
  • Unexcused late and missing assignments count zero. It is your responsibility to keep track of your homework grades.
  • Homework is to be written neatly. Make sure not to write too close to the margins, otherwise when you scan it there might be missing information. Make sure that before you submit your homework you check to make sure that all information has been scanned and that it can be read.
  • Use complete sentences when writing explanations or justifications. If you can't read your solutions aloud as fluently as if you were reading a textbook, try using nouns and verbs in your write ups!

    • If you do not follow these guidelines, your written homework will be returned to you ungraded.

    WeBWorK: WeBWorK will be assigned each day of class and will be due at 10:00pm the day of the following class. These daily web-based problems can be accessed via the WeBWorK homepage. See also the WeBWorK login containing a FAQ and quick start guide.

    It is highly recommended that you keep a notebook in which you write up your WeBWorK homework (including your work as well as the answers). Then when you are studying for exams, you will have a record of your work to which to refer.

    No extensions on the WeBWorK will be granted.

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    Discussion Participation

    We will be using the Discussions in Canvas as another avenue for discussing course material with your classmates and instructor/TAs. This space will serve two functions:

    Some prompts will instruct you to both make a post and reply to another students post, but otherwise you will just need to make one interaction (this includes making a post or replying to one) in each thread to get full credit for participation. You are of course welcome to post more frequently than that!

    We will offer a small amount of extra credit (to be added to your grade at the end of the term) to those students who frequently go above and beyond with their discussion posts. This is not measured by posts that demonstrate "mastery" of the material, but rather by posts that demonstrate effort and thoughtfulness.

    Please keep the Discussion boards focused on understanding course content. If you have a specific question related to a homework problem, that should be discussed in Tutorials or office hours. Do not post solutions to homework problems in the Discussions.

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    Student Office Hours

    These are times your instructor has set aside specifically for you. Please come to office hours for any of the following reasons:

  • To ask a question you have about homework or any other upcoming assessment.
  • To ask a question about something that was said or done in class that you didn't understand.
  • To listen and learn from other people's questions.
  • To ask a question about why you received the grade you did on an assessment.
  • To discuss how you're doing overall in the class.
  • To tell your instructor more about yourself, why you're taking this class, and what you hope to get out of your time at Dartmouth.
  • To tell your instructor about some other math that you recently learned, thought was cool, and want to share.
  • To ask your instructor about what it's like to do math research, take more advanced math classes, etc.
  • To discuss...(it isn't an exhaustive list!)

    • You are also welcome to schedule an appointment if you would like to meet outside of the above scheduled times (send an email to your instructor).

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    The Honor Principle

    Students are encouraged to work together to do homework problems. What is important is a student's eventual understanding of homework problems, and not how that is achieved.

    The honor principle on homework: What a student turns in as a homework solution is to be his or her own understanding of how to do the problem. Students must state what sources they have consulted, with whom they have collaborated, and from whom they have received help. If you did not talk with anyone or consulted any source, please write "No Collaborators". It is a violation of the honor code to copy solutions from problems posted on the web or book or any other source. The solutions you submit must be written by you alone.

    The honor principle on exams: Students may not give or receive assistance of any kind on an exam from any person except for the professor or someone explicitly designated by the professor to answer questions about the exam.

    If you have any questions as to whether some action would be acceptable under the Academic Honor Code, please speak to your instructor and we will be glad to help clarify things. It is always easier to ask beforehand than to have trouble later!

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    Student Accessibility and Accommodations

    Students requesting disability-related accommodations and services for this course are required to register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS; Getting Started with SAS webpage; student.accessibility.services@dartmouth.edu ; 1-603-646-9900) and to request that an accommodation email be sent to their instructor in advance of the need for an accommodation. Then, students should schedule a follow-up meeting with their instructor to determine relevant details such as what role SAS or its Testing Center may play in accommodation implementation. This process works best for everyone when completed as early in the quarter as possible. If students have questions about whether they are eligible for accommodations or have concerns about the implementation of their accommodations, they should contact the SAS office. All inquiries and discussions will remain confidential.

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    Mental Health and Wellness

    The academic environment is challenging, our terms are intensive, and classes are not the only demanding part of your life. There are a number of resources available to you on campus to support your wellness, including: the Counseling Center which allows you to book triage appointments online, the Student Wellness Center which offers wellness check-ins, and your undergraduate dean. The student-led Dartmouth Student Mental Health Union and their peer support program may be helpful if you would like to speak to a trained fellow student support listener. If you need immediate assistance, please contact the counselor on-call at (603) 646-9442 at any time. Please make me aware of anything that will hinder your success in this course.

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    Title IX

    At Dartmouth, we value integrity, responsibility, and respect for the rights and interests of others, all central to our Principles of Community. We are dedicated to establishing and maintaining a safe and inclusive campus where all have equal access to the educational and employment opportunities Dartmouth offers. We strive to promote an environment of sexual respect, safety, and well-being. In its policies and standards, Dartmouth demonstrates unequivocally that sexual assault, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are not tolerated in our community.

    The Sexual Respect Website at Dartmouth provides a wealth of information on your rights with regard to sexual respect and resources that are available to all in our community.

    Please note that, as a faculty member, I am obligated to share disclosures regarding conduct under Title IX with Dartmouth's Title IX Coordinator. Confidential resources are also available, and include licensed medical or counseling professionals (e.g., a licensed psychologist), staff members of organizations recognized as rape crisis centers under state law (such as WISE), and ordained clergy (see https://dartgo.org/titleix_resources).

    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dartmouth's Title IX Coordinator or the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the Guarini School. Their contact information can be found on the sexual respect website at: https://sexual-respect.dartmouth.edu.

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