MATH 349: Spring 2008

Math 349: Matrix Groups: Introduction to Lie Groups
Spring 2008
Professor Megan Kerr

Office: SCI 372
Phone: X3144
or email (preferred)

(last modified Jan. 28, 2008)

| syllabus | weekly assignments |

Textbook: Matrix Groups for Undergraduates, K. Tapp

Class meetings: TWF: 9:50 -- 11:00 in SCI 256

Office hours: Mon. 3:30 - 4:30, Wed. 11:00 - 12:00 and Thurs. 2:30 - 3:30.

I encourage you to arrange your schedule (work, etc.) so that you are able to come to some of my office hours.

Homework:

Weekly problem sets are the bread and butter of this course. These problems will be fun and also challenging. Assignments will be posted Wednesdays on the MATH349-S08 conference; solutions are due at the beginning of class each Wednesday (or under my door, prior to class).
I encourage you to spend a portion of your time working with other students in a study group of about 2 or 3. To learn mathematical reasoning, you will need periods of concentrated individual study, but it is also important that you spend time talking about the subject. You will learn the material better and faster. Explaining the material to someone else tests your understanding.
Since it is important that you learn how to correctly express mathematics yourself, always write your own versions of the solutions to homework problems, even if the details were worked out in your study group. For complete honesty, just note on your paper that the solution was a group effort but your own write-up.
Each student is allowed one late homework, due one week from the due date; use it wisely. No explanation is necessary, but please let me know when you take your late.

Presentations:

In the second half of the semester, each of you will present a section of the text to the class. The goals are for you to practice communicating mathematics to your peers and to enhance your understanding of the material. The sections you present will be central to the development of the material, so it is essential that in each student's presentation, she communicates what is important and why.

Honor Code:

On homework, collaboration is expected and encouraged. You should feel free to talk to other students while you are in the process of thinking about a problem. However, you should write up your solutions by yourself without outside assistance.
On exams, no help should be given or received.

Exams:

Midterm exam, Friday, March 14.
This exam will have an in-class portion (March 14) and a take-home portion distributed Friday March 7, due Friday, March 14.
A take-home final exam will be distributed Tuesday May 6 and due Tuesday, May 13.

Grades:

Homework
Presentation
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Total

40 points
10 points
25 points
25 points
100 points

Disabilities:

Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need accommodations of any kind are urged to make an appointment with me as soon as possible. Also, they should visit the the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center to register for support services.

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Math 349: Matrix Groups: Introduction to Lie Groups Spring 2008 Professor Megan Kerr