NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title:  Linear Algebra

Course prefix, number, and section number:  MATH 2318 0940 & 0345

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2024

Semester start and end dates: 1/16/2024 – 5/11/2024

Modality:  Face to face (section 0940) / Synchronous online (section 0345)

Class meeting location, days, and times: TR 4:30 – 5:50 p.m. Corinth room 211 F2F

Semester credit hours:  3 (Lecture hours: 48)

Course description:  Introduces and provides models for application of the concepts of vector algebra. Topics include finite dimensional vector spaces and their geometric significance; representing and solving systems of linear equations using multiple methods, including Gaussian elimination and matrix inversion; matrices; determinants; linear transformations; quadratic forms; eigenvalues and eigenvector; and applications in science and engineering.

Course prerequisites:  MATH 2414 Calculus II with a grade of “C” or better

Required course materials:  Elementary Linear Algebra, Applications Version, 12^th edition, Anton/Rorres/Kaul, Wiley (publisher), 2019. ISBN:  9781119643623

TI-30X IIS calculator.  (No graphing calculators or phone calculators allowed on exams.)

Name of instructor:  Keith Bailey

Office location:  Corinth campus, room 207A

Telephone number:  940-498-6460

E-mail address:  kbailey@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: MW 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Corinth Campus

        TR 12:00 – 2:00 pm, Corinth Campus, or by appointment

STUDENT HOURS (OFFICE HOURS)

Each week instructors have time set aside to meet with students outside of class. (Traditionally these times have been called “office hours”.) This is a time when a student may ask questions regarding the class, or discuss a particular problem/topic with an instructor one-on-one.  Student hours may be held in-person or online.  See below for instructions on where/when/how instructors will offer student hours in this class.

Students may meet with me in my office during the above times without an appointment (although, it’s a good idea to message me via Canvas ahead of time, if you can).  Outside of these times, please message me in Canvas to set up a day & time.  If pre-arranged, I can meet with students via WebEx.

MATH TUTORING LAB

Students who need help with any math class can visit the NCTC Mathematics Lab to receive assistance.  There are math tutors available on every campus and online.  This service is free for all students enrolled in an NCTC math class. Sign up for an appointment or see the most current tutoring hours for all campuses at https://www.nctc.edu/math-lab. 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE GRADING POLICY

We will have 4 exams during the semester, and a comprehensive final exam.

Tentative Exam Dates:

Exam 1            Thursday, Feb. 8

Exam 2            Tuesday, Mar. 5

Exam 3            Thursday, Apr. 4

Exam 4            Tuesday, Apr. 30

Final Exam     TBA (week of May 6 – 11)

Your grade will be the average of the 4 highest of the 5 exams.

i.e. your lowest exam grade will be dropped – that exam can be the final exam.

The 4 exam grades used to compute your course average will all be weighted equally.

If you do not take the final exam, you will have no possibility of any curve of your grade.

Grading scale: A:  90-100     B: 80-89     C: 70-79     D: 60-69     F: 0-59

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.  If you miss an exam, regardless of reason, that will be the exam grade that is dropped.

The grading policy may be amended during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy:

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation, and collusion.  The use of online math solvers with submitted work is considered academic dishonesty.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Code of Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. Zero on the assignment which may not be dropped
2. Failing grade for the course

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is expected and necessary for student success in this course. For more information on attendance regulations please see the 2022-2023 NCTC Catalog.  (https://www.nctc.edu/catalog; Click on 2022-2023 CATALOG and go to page 138 to see Attendance Regulations)

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: Monday, April 1, 2024

Student Learning Outcomes:  At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Be able to solve systems of linear equations using multiple methods, including Gaussian elimination and matrix inversion.
2. Be able to carry out matrix operations, including inverses and determinants.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of vector space and subspace.
4. Demonstrate understanding of linear independence, span, and basis.
5. Be able to determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors and solve problems involving eigenvalues.
6. Apply principles of matrix algebra to linear transformations. Apply principles of matrix algebra to linear transformations.
7. Demonstrate application of inner products and associated norms.

Core Objectives:

X           Critical Thinking

X           Communication

X           Empirical and Quantitative

Teamwork

Personal Responsibility

Social Responsibility

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook. To access Student Handbook go to NCTC homepage (www.nctc.edu), scroll to bottom and click “Student Handbook”.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS