[Math 2121 Home | Assignments]

Math 2120A: Intermediate Linear Algebra I

Please check the assignment page and this page regularly for announcements and other information.

The first class is on Friday, September 9th, and will be a regular class.

Instructor: Nicole Lemire
Office: Middlesex 103C
Phone: 519-661-2111 x86533
E-mail: nlemire at uwo dot ca
Office Hours: M 2:30-3:30pm, W 12:30-1:30pm, F 9:30-10:30am
TAs: Ashley Nahornick, Mehdi Mousavi, Sujanthan Sriskandarajah
Help Center: Tuesday 1-2pm, MC 106
Class times: MWF 10:30-11:30am
Class location: UC 202
Text: Linear Algebra, Fourth Edition, by Steven H. Friedberg, Arnold J. Insel, Lawrence E. Spense, published by Prentice Hall.
Prerequisites: Math 1600A/B (Linear Algebra 040a/b) or Math 1120A/B (060a/b) with a minimum mark of 70% or permission of the Mathematics department
Course website: http://www.math.uwo.ca/~nlemire/2120

Course description:

Math 2120 is the first half of a mathematically intensive second year of linear algebra, with the syllabus given below. If you have not done so already in Math 1120, you will learn to read and write mathematical proofs. This is perhaps the most important intellectual feature of modern mathematics, and correspondingly an essential step in moving on to more advanced topics in later courses. Assignments will be an important part of the course, so that you will have the feedback you need to develop new skills. Accordingly, Math 2120 is a demanding course, and you should be prepared for a time commitment of at least six hours per week. There will be approximately one assignment per week. The assignments are to be thought of as take-home exams and should be done entirely on your own. All those involved in copying will receive a negative grade on the assignment in question. In addition, all academic offenses will be reported to the Dean's office, and may result in further penalties. Regarding Scholastic Offences and Penalties, see pp. 23-26 of the Academic Calendar or refer to Scholastic Discipline for Undergraduates. Homework will be posted regularly on my webpage (see above) and collected in class. forms; Sylvester's theorem.

Syllabus:

Here is a brief outline of the topics covered in Math 2120. We will cover the majority of Chapters 1--5 of the text.

Link to UWO course calendar.

Evaluation of Student Performance:

Assignments: 20%
Midterm Examinations:  2 midterms each worth 20% of the final grade
Final Examination: 40%

There will be between 8 and 10 assignments. They are due at the beginning of class. Click here for a list of exercises. The lowest (or missing) assignment grade will be dropped when computing the course grade.

Important Senate Policy

Students are responsible for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded and that all course prerequisites have been successfully completed. If the student does not have the prerequisites for a course, and does not have written special permission from his or her Dean to enroll in the course, the student may be removed from the course and it will be deleted from the student's record. This decision may not be appealed. A student will receive no adjustment to his or her fees in the event that he or she is dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

Statement on Academic Offences

Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at this web site.

Midterm Information

The first midterm will be held on Thursday, October 6, 7-9pm in Somerville House 2355.

Here are some extra practice problems for the 1st midterm.

The second midterm will be held on Thursday, November 17, 7-9pm in Social Science 3018.

Here is a summary of the preliminary material we covered about fields, matrices and operations.

Here is a review of summation notation.

Here is a review of what we covered on solving systems of linear equations. This has been updated since the first midterm.

Here are some suggested problems from the text. Note they are scattered through the first few chapters.

Here are some extra practice problems for the 2nd midterm.

Here is an expanded version of suggested problems from the text.

Final Exam Information

The final exam will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2-5pm. It will be cumulative. It will not only cover the material after the second midterm. Here are some practice problems for the final exam. These only cover the last material. Refer to other practice problems for earlier material.

Here is an review of material from the course not including earlier reviews.

Here is an expanded version of suggested problems from the text.

Please read the section below if you have a conflict with either exam.

Make-up exams and conflicts

If you know ahead of time that you are unable to attend a midterm or final exam, you must let your instructor know at least two weeks in advance so alternative arrangements can be made. See also the University's policy on final exam conflicts.

If you have a conflict with another final exam, you must contact Rob Downes in the Registrar's Office by mid November to arrange a special time/place to write the final. If you have a conflict with a midterm for a year-long course, you must contact the instructor of the other course. If you have three final exams in 3 consecutive periods, you must contact the Dean of your faculty. In all cases, please let your instructor know.

Medical Excuse Regulations

If you are unable to meet a course requirement due to illness or other serious circumstances, you must provide valid medical or other supporting documentation to the Dean's Office as soon as possible and contact your instructor immediately. It is the student's responsibility to make alternative arrangements with his or her instructor once the accommodation has been approved and the instructor has been informed. In the event of a missed final exam, a "Recommendation of Special Examination" form must be obtained from the Dean's Office immediately. For further information please see: University policy on medical excuses.

A student requiring academic accommodation due to illness, should use the Student Medical Certificate when visiting an off-campus medical facility or request a Record's Release Form (located in the Dean's Office) for visits to Student Health Services. The form can be found at this web site.

Failure to follow these rules will result in a grade of zero.

Accessibility Statement

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 661-2111 x 82147 for any specific questions regarding an accommodation.

Please check the exercises page and the course web page regularly for announcements and other information.

Western Mathematics Home Page