MTH 215 
Introduction to Linear Algebra
 
TuTh 8:00-9:15 AM
Wales Hall 223

Instructor    Araceli Bonifant  
Office: Tyler Hall 217
Phone: 4-4394
Email: bonifant@math.uri.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday 2:00 pm, Wednesday 2:00 pm and by appointment.

Textbook: Linear Algebra and its Applications,
Third Edition David Lay,
Addison Wesley; ISBN: 0201709708

TAKE HOME QUIZ ;   DUE APRIL 2 BY 10 am in my office Tyler 217

PROJECT Due April 26

About the course: This is a first undergraduate course in linear algebra. In this course you will learn many of the foundations of linear algebra. Students are encouraged to use Maple to complement the topics, in fact this practice will be very useful for the future development of the projects. We will present several applications to motivate the subject. Two Maple Projects will be assigned during the semester.

In this course you will learn about: vectors, matrices, linear systems, dimension, rank and linear transformations. You will be computing determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and will learn and use the concept of orthogonality.

Time permitting you will learn about vector spaces.

Clicking here Course Schedule you will get a detailed syllabus of the course. The syllabus is always subject to change according to the needs of the class.

Prerequisites:  MTH 131, MTH 141 or equivalent.

Policies: You are expected to abide by the University's civility policy:

"The University of Rhode Island is committed to developing and actively protecting a class environment in which respect must be shown to everyone in order to facilitate the expression, testing, understanding, and creation of a variety of ideas and opinions. Rude, sarcastic, obscene or disrespectful speech and disruptive behavior have a negative impact on everyone's learning and are considered unacceptable. The course instructor will have disruptive persons removed from the class."

Cell phones, IPods, beepers and any electronic device must be turned off in class.

You are required to do your own work unless specifically told otherwise by your instructor. In support of honest students, those discovered cheating on assignments or exams will receive a grade of zero on the assignment or exam. Use of unauthorized aids such as cheat sheets or information stored in calculator memories, will be considered cheating. The Mathematics Department and the University strongly promote academic integrity.

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be determined by your scores on

  • Exam I                                     : 100pts
  • Exam II                                    : 100pts
  • Final                                         : 200pts    (cumulative)
  • Quizzes and Homeworks        : 100pts
  • Projects                                    : 100pts
  • Total                                        : 600pts

    • Homework: Homework will be assigned weekly but not collected or graded.  However the weekly quiz may be based on homework assignments.  If you do your weekly homework assignments you will have no problem with the exams.

    Quizzes: There will be weekly or biweekly quizzes.  The quiz will be given on Thursday.  I will drop the lowest quiz at the end of the term.

    There will be no make up quizzes or exams.

    Exam Schedule:


    Exam I :         February 23         
    Exam II :        April 5          
    Final Exam:    May 8th.   8:00-11:00 AM  

    The Academic Enhancement Center:
    The work in this course can be difficult. You can seek help at the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) in Roosevelt Hall. AEC tutors can answer questions, clarify concepts, check your understanding, and help you to study. You can make an appointment or walk in anytime Mon-Thur 9 AM to 9 PM, Fri 9 AM to 1 PM, Sun 4 PM - 8 PM. For a complete schedule go to www.uri.edu/aec, call (401) 874-2367, or stop by the fourth floor in Roosevelt Hall.

    Students with Disabilities:
    Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact me early in the semester so that we may work out reasonable accommodations to support your success in this course. Students should also contact Disability Services for Students: Office of Student Life, 330 Memorial Union, 874-2098. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.