Math 312 Home Page, Fall 2011

Instructor: Ching-Li Chai
Office: DRL 4N36, Ext. 8-8469.
Office Hours: M 11:05-11:55, W 2:05-2:55.
Email:chai@math.upenn.edu

Teaching Assistant:
Office:
Office Hours:

WWW tip: Click on the "Reload" button to make sure you are seeing the most up-to-date version of this (or any) page!

Review session: Friday 12/16, 11:00-12, DRL3C6.

Evolving log: what have been explained/done in class, and plan for the next few lectures.

Notes and Homework Assignment

General Information about Math 312:

• Lecture class meetings are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10:00 to 10:50 in DRL A7.
• First Meeting: Wednesday, September 7, 2011.
• Part of the goal of this course is a gentle introduction to rigorous, proof-based mathematics. You will learn to write a coherent, rigorous proof through the materials in linear algebra. In contrast to the calculus courses, your main objective should be the concepts, the logical structures linking the mains concepts, and the proofs.
• Text book: An Introduction to the Theory of Linear Spaces, by Georgi Shilov, translated by Richard Silverman, 2010 Dover reprint.
• Reference: Linear Algebra Done Right, by Sheldon Axler. This is a very good modern textbook, where the determinant is put off until the last chapter. The style of Axler's book is quite different from Shilov's.
• The lectures will be self-contained and will not exactly follow the textbook closely. You are encouraged to read the textbook or the reference book and compare it with the presentation in class.
• Announcement, homework assignment, notes, sample problems, solutions will all be posted on web. No hard copies will be distributed. Please check this page frequently for the most updated information. Remember to use to Reload button of your browser.

Basic Ground Rules:

• The course grade is based on: Final Exam (40%), Midterm Exams (40%), Homework (20%).
• Homeworks
  • Homeworks will be assigned each week. They are due in the following week, usually on Fridays. Follow this link to see the assigned problems.
  • Your works should contain complete, rigorous and logically correct proofs. (A reminder: The usual rules of English grammar also apply in mathematical writing.)
  • You are encourage to work in groups and discuss with each other. But the work you hand in MUST BE YOUR OWN WRITE-UP.
  • Homeworks will be spot graded and returned. Answers to selected problems will be posted.
  • LATE WORK will NEVER be accepted.

Grading notes: At the end of the semester, everyone who has not withdrawn from the class will get a grade. Incompletes will not be given to avoid F's.

Semester Calendar:

• First Day of Classes: Wednesday, September 7, 2011.
• Course selection period ends: Friday, September 23, 2011.
• Fall break: Saturday, October 8 -- Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
• First midterm exam: Wednesday, October 12, 2011.
• Drop period ends: Friday, October 14, 2011.
• Second midterm exam: Wednesday, November 16, 2011.
• Last day to withdraw: Friday, November 18, 2011.
• Thanksgiving: November 24, 2011.
• Last day of classes: Friday, December 9, 2011
• Reading days: Saturday, December 10 -- Tuesday, December 13, 2009.
• Final Exam: Monday, December 19, 9:00 - 11:00am, DRL 4C6.

Exams:

• First Midterm: Wednesday, October 12.
• Second Midterm: Wednesday, November 18.
• Final Exam: Monday, December 19, 9:00 - 11:00am, DRL 4C6.

Homework Assignment