Math 54: Information from the Instructor

Introduction

In this course, we will learn some of the most basic concepts in linear algebra and differential equations, two different but related subjects.

Many physical phenomena are governed by differential equations. For example, the rotation of the solar planets around the sun can be accurately described by a set of time-dependent differential equations. Linear algebra provides the basic tools necessary to solve these differential equations (most commonly) on a computer.

This information document covers the following subjects: how to contact the staff, Prerequisites, Math 49, textbooks, handouts, course work and grading and exam dates.

If you have questions about enrollment, please contact the Head GSI Aubrey Clayton at aclayton@math.berkeley.edu during the first few days of the semester. See the website /~aclayton/math54 for details, including office hours and instructions on discussion section selection.

If you have a general question about something that is NOT covered here, or if you wish to talk with the GSIs or me, the easiest way is to come during office hours. Otherwise, please make an appointment by sending electronic mail.

Staff

Instructor Prof. Ming Gu
Office: Evans 861
Office Hours: W 12:00-1:30PM, TuTh 12:30-2:00PM or by appointment.
Phone: 642-3145
Email: mgu@math

GSIs

Prerequisites

1A and 1B or equivalent. It is important to note that calculus courses at most institutions either have no differential equations, or less than Berkeley's Math 1B. Transfer students who have taken such a course need to learn that differential equations material (Stewart, Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 5th Ed., Ch.s 9 and 17) on their own, by approximately the week of Oct. 29. Please contact me if you have any concerns on this policy.

Math 49 Options

You can take this course as Math 49 with reduced credits if you would like to take only the linear algebra part or only the ODE part of the course. However, please note that we spend about 2/3 of the time on linear algebra. We also spend 1/3 of the time on ODE and ask the students to learn much of ODE material on their own if they did not have the necessary background (see prerequisites). As is required by the Math Department, we would need to sign an individual contact for every Math 49 student.

Textbooks

Our textbooks are

Handouts

Hard copies of all handouts will be distributed in the class; they can also be downloaded from the class home page on the WWW at /~mgu/MA54

Course Work and Grading

There are a total of 100 points you can earn toward your final grade in the course. There will be two midterm exams. The better of the two is worth 25 points and the worse 15 points. The final exam is worth 30 points. All exams will be graded by the GSIs and myself. In addition to exams, there will be up to 14 homeworks and 14 quizzes. Only the best 10 homeworks and best 10 quizzes will be counted towards the final grade, with each homework and quiz worth 1.5 points. Homeworks are in general due on Mondays. In case of a University Holiday, they are due the following Wednesday. Quizzes are on the days Homeworks are due.


Since the GSIs are limited in their work hours in grading homeworks and quizzes, they will only grade ONE problem of their choice in each homework set. In addition, they will make most of their quiz problems to be either from the homework that is due on the day of the quiz or similar to problems in the homework. Doing the homework is worth 1 point; and doing the graded problem correctly is worth 0.5 point.


The exams will be cumulative, There will be no make-up midterm exams or quizzes. We will give no credit for written homework turned in after the due date. The only exception to this policy is medical or personal emergencies.

Exam Dates

Homeworks will involve written assignments to be done individually, although group discussion is allowed. They will be due on Mondays before the discussion sections. Quizzes will be given at the begining of discussion sections for 20 minutes on every Mondays except August 27. In the weeks where Monday is a University Holiday, the homework will be due and quiz will be done on Wednesday. We will have a review session and provide sample exams before each of the three exams.

Since quiz problems are chosen by the GSIs individually, there likely will be differences in levels of difficulties in them. To maintain a high level of fairness, we will scale the quiz grades so that each discussion section will have the same mean and standard deviation for overall quiz grades. Your final letter grade will be determined based on your own performance. I hope everyone will excel in this course.

Grades of Incomplete will be granted only for dire medical or personal emergencies that cause you to miss the final, and only if your work up to that point has been satisfactory.

To obtain an early report of your grade, leave a stamped, self-addressed postcard with your final or in my mail box. I will only post the class performance curve after the final exam.