As the syllabus from last semester pointed out, this class will require some linear algebra. We will cover what is needed at the beginning of the semester — contrary to what the book says at the beginning of chapter 5, I will not take it for granted that you are familiar with linear transformations, matrices, determinants, and dimension. However, those students who have already taken Math 307 will have the advantage of seeing these ideas for at least the second time.
There will be homework problems based on the material from each lecture, normally due on Friday. All homework assignments are due by 4 p.m. on the listed date, at my office. Late homework will not be accepted. If unusual circumstances arise and you contact me in a timely manner, then we can discuss alternative arrangements.
Throughout this class, you need to explain your answers even when the problem doesn't explicitly ask for a proof; this typically means writing in complete English sentences. When deciding how much detail to include, here's the standard to keep in mind: your solution to a problem should be complete and clear enough that one of your classmates, who has paid attention in class but hasn't thought about that specific problem yet, could read your solution and understand exactly how it works. If you only try to convince the grader that you understand the solution, then you almost certainly won't write enough.
Students may work together on homework. However, each student must figure out how to write up his or her own solution to be turned in. That means for example that you and a friend may figure out together how to prove a statement, but the written-out proofs you turn in should not be verbatim copies of each other.
Reading and homework problems will be posted on this page.