Math 320, Linear Algebra I

Instructor: Mihnea Popa

Mihnea Popa
Office: 417 SEO
Tel: 312-413-3150
email: mpopa@math.uic.edu
URL: www.math.uic.edu/~mpopa
  • Meeting times: MWF 10:00-10:50, 319 Stevenson Hall
  • First meeting: Monday, August 23, 2010
  • Office hours: Monday 11-12, Friday 2-3
  • Textbook: We will use a freely available online book, "Linear Algebra" by Jim Hefferon of Saint Michael's College. You can download it here
Brief course description: Solutions to linear systems of equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, matrices, determinants.
Prerequisites: Calculus I, II, III; familiarity with understanding and writing proofs, as for instance in Math 215, is strongly recommended.
Homework: Weekly homework assignments will be posted on this page each Wednesday, and they are due in class the following Wednesday. Please write your solutions clearly and carefully. If you have to miss class that day, you can turn in your assignment early to my box in SEO 304. Late homework will not be accepted. The lowest score will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Collaboration: You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with your fellow students. However, you have to write up your solutions by yourselves and show originality.
Exams and Grading: We will have a midterm exam (Friday, October 15, during regular class time) and a final exam (Friday, December 10, 10:30-12:30, usual classroom). Students are expected to be present for both exams. Makeup exams will only be given in case of a verifiable emergency or a formal request by the UIC atheletic department. Do not schedule travel on an exam date. The midterm and the homework will each count as 30% of your grade. The final exam will count as 40% of your grade. In order to pass the course, you must pass the final exam.
Additional references: You might find it helpful to refer to other sources for more information or a different point of view on Linear Algebra:
  • Gilbert Strang, Introduction to Linear Algebra, Wellesley Cambridge Press, 2009.
  • Otto Bretscher, Linear Algebra and its Applications, Prentice Hall 2004.
  • Tom M. Apostol, Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra with Applications, Wiley 1969.
  • OCW Linear Algebra Webpage at MIT (html) Contains videos of lectures by Strang.
  • Math Archives of Linear Algebra Course Notes and applications Linear Algebra Archive
Homework assignments :