GRADING POLICY & SYLLABUS

Applied Linear Algebra
M346, unique number 53965   SPRING 2022

INSTRUCTOR: C. RADIN



M346 is a second course in linear algebra. The prerequisite is official credit for either M341 or M340L. The course content for all three courses can be seen in detail from the Math Dept web page: https://www.ma.utexas.edu/academics/courses/course-syllabi. M346 goes well beyond the subject matter of the prerequisites by its emphasis on understanding `diagonalization' of linear operators, through the use, for instance, of direct sums and quotients of vector spaces, inner products, and in particular, adjoint operators. Such topics are naturally explored in following the underlying theme of the course (and textbook) which is to show how diagonalization of normal linear operators is used to study solutions of linear differential equations, which is the applied aspect of the course. (Prior knowledge of differential equations is not assumed.)

The heart of the course is chapters 4, 6 and 7, and parts of chapters 5 and 8, of the course text ``Applied Linear Algebra, 2nd Edition'' by Lorenzo Sadun. More detail about the parts of the book to be covered can be obtained from links on our course web site:

http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/radin/teaching/22s/346/

Lectures are planned to be in person at the assigned time: Tues+Thurs 9:30-10:45 in PMA 5.114, but may occasionally, of necessity, be by zoom accessible through Canvas. (When lecture is by zoom it will not be recorded.) Scanned homework will be collected weekly through Canvas/Gradescope. The homework will be worth 8% of the course grade. Lecture attendence and participation is required, and will be worth 7% of the course grade. There will be three in-class, cummulative `midterm exams': on Feb 22, worth 20% of the course grade, on Mar 29, worth 30% of the course grade, and on Apr 28, worth 35% of the course grade. The grades will be curved. There will be no final exam.

In part to allow for occasional illness or other absences, the curved grade obtained on the third midterm can be used to substitute for the curved grade obtained on the first or second midterm (not both), the choice being made individually and AUTOMATICALLY for most benefit to each student; this will be the only ``make-up'' offered. Also, the curved grade on the third midterm will be used to clarify borderline course grades; specifically, any total score for the course which is within 1 point of a higher grade will be raised if the curved grade on the third exam is at least at the higher grade; for instance 89.02 will be raised to 90.00 if the curved grade on the third midterm is at least 90.00, but 89.90 will not be raised to 90.00 if the curved grade on the third midterm is below 90.00.

I will not be assigning plus/minus grades. A curved course grade at or above 90 is an A, at or between 80 and 89.99 is a B, etc.

There will be a strong emphasis on accuracy: partial credit will be allocated sparingly. Also, the exams will be designed to test not only knowledge of the material but also the ability to compute the answers within the specified time limit. The exams and grading system are designed to determine the degree of fluency with the more basic aspects of the material.

If you are having difficulty with the course, and/or would like to discuss alternative texts, please feel free to contact me.

The University of Texas provides appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY. If you plan on using accomodations, you need to notify your Instructors early in the semester.