MAT 145-001  Spring 2005

 

M, W:     10:00 - 11:50 AM,       Room:  X130

 

Instructor:            Brian Smith

Office:                   M215

Telephone:            353-2689

E-mail:                   bsmith@parkland.edu

Class website:      http://virtual.parkland.edu/bsmith1/mat145/

 

Office Hours: 

       Tuesday               9:00 – 11:00

       Thursday            12:00 –   1:00

       Friday                  11:00 – 12:00

 

Textbook:              “Linear Algebra with Business Applications,” by Sherbert, Brown, Adawi, and Royer  (3rdEdition)

 

 

Grading:

                4 one hour exams:                                400 pts.

                Quizzes:                                                 100 pts.

                Final Exam (Comprehensive):             150 pts.

                                                Total Points:         650 pts.

 

Grading Scale:

                A             90 -100%

                B             80 -  89%

                C             70 -  79%

                D             60 -  69%

                F                0 -  59%

 

Homework Responsibilities:

                Homework will be given daily, but will not be collected.  You must work on the homework EVERYDAY.  As much as possible, get any questions that you may have on the homework answered before coming to the next class.  You can see me in my office or go to Peer Tutoring (Cooperative Learning Center - D120).  The purpose of the homework is for you to further understand the material presented  in class.   In order to learn the material you must be working on homework exercises daily.  You will not be able to pass the tests unless homework is done on a daily basis.

 

Quizzes:

You should have one notebook or folder designated for homework in this class.  "Homework quizzes" will be given periodically through the semester.  During a homework quiz I will ask you to copy a few of your solutions to a separate piece of paper and turn this in.  I will then grade these based on how much work is shown and how correct the solutions are.  These homework checks will not be announced ahead of time, so you should bring your homework notebook to class everyday.

                “Normal quizzes” will be given on a regular basis.  These normal quizzes will usually be announced ahead of time.

 

Tentative Exams:

                Exam 1                    January 31

                Exam 2                    February 23

                Exam 3                    March 28

                Exam 4                    April 20

 

Final Exam:

                Comprehensive (Chapters 1-6)     Thursday – May 12th at 8:00-10:00 AM
Makeup Policy:

No make up quizzes will be allowed.  Your lowest two quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the semester.  If you are absent the day of a test, you will need to contact me prior to class to let me know.  When this happens you might be allowed to take the missed exam on your next day of class.

 

Computer Policy:

                You may only use the computers during times when the whole class has been given an activity using the Derive software.  You may not use the computers at any other time (i.e. when a lecture/quiz/exam is taking place).  The consequences for using the computers at inappropriate times are as follows:

                1st  time – a warning

                2nd time – a score of 0 on a quiz

                3rd time – a 10% deducted from an exam

                4th time – a score of 0 on an exam

 

Attendance Policy:

                The attendance policy in this course goes with the policy stated in the Parkland College Catalog.  It says:  "Regular and prompt attendance is expected at all classes" except in cases involving illness or emergency which should be brought to the attention of the instructor.  "Regular attendance and consistent study habits are considered necessary for academic success in college.  Faculty members have prerogative of lowering grades for excessive absence."

 

Academic Honesty:

                Unethical conduct during examinations, quizzes, or homework checks will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.  Repercussions can include (but not limited to):  a score of 0 for that exam/quiz/ homework, lowering your semester grade by a letter grade, receiving an F for the semester, or being expelled from Parkland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Material To Be Covered:

                We shall cover chapters 1 – 6 in the book.  The material will include the following topics:

Basic concepts and techniques of linear algebra: systems of linear equations, inequalities, matrices, determinants, vectors, and eigenvalues; linear algebra applications: linear programming, simplex method, Markov chains, and Leontief models.

 

ADA Statement:

                If you feel you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (including special testing auxiliary aids, non traditional instructional formats), please inform the instructor as soon as possible and/or contact one of the following for assistance.

Learning Disabilities -                                                         Other Disabilities -

                Evelyn Brown, Room X-148, Ext. 2587                              Norm Lambert , Room A-250, Ext. 2620

 

Student Email Account: 

Students should access their Parkland email accounts at http://stu.parkland.edu at least weekly to obtain information about courses or college announcements.  Students can go to the information desk or call 217-351-2561 for help with their student email accounts.  There is someone available at this number to answer questions from 2-4 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

 

Parkland Connection:

                Students can register for courses, access semester grades, check their financial aid status, and make payments on their account  (along with many  other activities) using the Parkland Connection website.  Log on to https://pcweb.parkland.edu/parklandconnection/ to access the Parkland Connection.

 

General Education Statement:

                General education objectives which will be addressed include problem solving, quantitative reasoning, and the use of technology.