Math 311 - Topics in Applied Mathematics

Instructor: R. Lee Panetta (845-1386)
Office 1007a O&M (Eller)
Office hours: 10:00{12:00 MW, 2:00-3:00 Fri (and by arrangement)
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

311 Syllabus in PDF format

Textbooks:

Main text: Linear Algebra with Applications, S.J. Leon, 8th edition, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0131857851
Supplemental text 1: Schaum's Outline of Fourier Analysis with Applications to Boundary Value Problems, M. Spiegel, 1st edition, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0070602190.
Supplemental text 2: Calculus: Early Vectors, J. Stewart, Brooks/Cole, ISBN: 0-53434941-2.

Note: There are online versions of each of the supplemental texts. The second supplemental text is the one used for Math 251, a prerequisite for this course.

Course objectives:

Students who devote the necessary effort, which includes careful attention in lectures and working through the assigned problems, will gain working knowledge of:

matrix algebra and the use of matrices in the solution of systems of linear algebraic and dierential equations;
determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors of matrices;
vector spaces, subspaces, inner product spaces, and bases.

In addition, these students will gain elementary familiarity with:

solution of linear partial dierential equations with prescribed boundary conditions using Fourier series;
coordinate-free versions of the gradient, curl, and divergence operators in forms useful for the study of
fluid mechanics, as well as relations between these concepts and special line and surface integrals.

Grading for the course: The grade for the course will be based on scores from graded weekly problem sets, two in-term exams, and a cumulative final.

Relative weights: Graded homework problems 25%, Exam 1 25%,Exam 2 25%,Final Exam 25%
Grading scheme: [90; 100]= A; [80; 90)= B; [70; 80)= C; [60; 70)= D.

More homework problems will be assigned than will be turned in for grades. It is expected that students will attend all lectures. However, attendance will not be taken, and excuses will not be required in cases of absence. In cases of borderline grades, consideration will be given to class participation, as well as trends in scores.

Exam schedule (tentative in the case of the two in-term exams):

Exam 1 – Sept 28 (in class)

Exam 2 – Nov 4 (in class)

FINAL EXAM { December 15, 8-10 AM (comprehensive)
Make-Up Policy: Make-ups for exams will only be given with documented University-approved excuses (see University Regulations). Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the second working day after missing an exam. Otherwise, they forfeit their rights to a make-up.

ADA statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 of the Koldus
Building. The phone number is 845-1637.

Plagiarism statement: As commonly dened, plagiarism consists of passing o as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this denition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated.