Syllabus Intro to Linear algebra

Course Context and Orientation

  • Math 1553: Introduction to Linear Algebra (Fall 2025). Syllabus and schedule are tentative and may change; changes will be communicated in class and via e-mail.

  • Core IMPACTS course (STEM): part of core curriculum delivering foundational knowledge; aims to master course content and support broad academic/career goals.

  • Orienting Question: How do I ask scientific questions or use data, mathematics, or technology to understand the universe?

  • Completion outcomes: Students will use the scientific method and laboratory procedures or mathematical/computational methods to analyze data, solve problems, and explain natural phenomena.

  • Career-Ready Competencies emphasized: Inquiry and Analysis; Problem-Solving; Teamwork.

Course Structure and Registration

  • Three mandatory components to earn course credit: a lecture section, a linked studio section, and the common exam period. If only registered for the exam period, credit cannot be earned from the course exams.

  • If registered for lecture/studio, you must also be enrolled in the common exam section (all exams occur then).

  • Dropping the common exam section after registration ends will not allow exams at an alternate time.

  • Lecture and Studio Format:

    • In-person lectures: Mondays and Wednesdays.

    • In-person studios: Fridays (TAs).

    • Wednesday night meetings (6:30–7:45 PM) occur only on weeks with midterms.

    • Extreme circumstances may require temporary online delivery; attendance and office hours may be adjusted by instructor/TA.

  • Office hours: May be in-person or virtual; check the front page of the common Canvas site for hours.

  • Textbook: Primary: Interactive Linear Algebra by Dan Margalit and Joseph Rabinoff.

    • Optional reference: Linear Algebra and its Applications, 6th edition (Lay–Lay–McDonald); accessible online via MyMathLab with access.

    • See syllabus page 8 for MyMathLab details.

  • Common website: Contains syllabus content, calendar, and resource links.

Textbooks and Online Resources

  • Primary textbook: Interactive Linear Algebra (Margalit & Rabinoff).

  • Optional: Linear Algebra and its Applications, 6th ed. (Lay, Lay, McDonald) via MyMathLab.

  • MyMathLab access linked through Canvas; special campus code options and purchase pathways described on the Georgia Tech resources and syllabus.

  • Common Canvas site and Piazza for announcements, discussions, and course materials.

Course-Level Learning Goals

  • Linear Algebra is conceptual; outcomes include:

    • A) Solve systems of linear questions.

    • B) Solve eigenvalue problems.

    • C) Analyze mathematical statements for existence/uniqueness of solutions.

    • D) Write precise mathematical proofs and justify reasoning.

    • E) Model, solve, and analyze real-world situations using linear algebra.

  • Students are expected to complete all lecture/homework problems and similar problems on quizzes/exams.

  • Refer to the common website for guidance on succeeding in the course and Georgia Tech’s Student-Faculty Expectations.

  • Students are responsible for information in announcements and Canvas materials; office hours and studio locations are listed on Canvas front page.

  • Piazza forum: Accessible via the Canvas site; registration required on first use.

  • Accommodations for Disabilities: Georgia Tech ADA accommodations via the Office of Disability Services; discuss appropriate procedures with the instructor; exam accommodations described in the quizzes/exams section.

Homework

  • Platform: WeBWorK via Canvas.

  • Frequency: Weekly homework; often multiple assignments per week.

  • First-week warmup: Practice-only and not graded.

  • Due time: Generally 11:59 PM on Wednesdays; exceptions possible during exam weeks.

  • Scoring: Your two lowest homework scores will be dropped.

  • Late submissions: Not accepted.

  • Weight: Each WeBWorK assignment contributes equally to the homework portion of the grade.

  • Note: Homework relies on WebWork platform; ensure access via Canvas.

Quizzes, Exams, and Regrades

  • Quizzes:

    • Start in the week of August 25; 10-minute quizzes on many Fridays during studio.

    • Accommodations: Students with extended time may start early or use the Testing Center; quizzes occur within studio timing.

    • Scoring: Your lowest 2 quiz grades will be dropped.

    • Restrictions: No books, notes, calculators, cell phones, or electronic devices during quizzes/exams.

  • In-person Exams:

    • Three midterms: 6:30–7:45 PM Atlanta time on the following Wednesdays: 9/17, 10/15, 11/12.

    • Final exam: Cumulative, Tuesday, 12/9, 6:00–8:50 PM.

    • Past exams and solutions available in the Math 1553 exam archive.

  • Midterm/Final logistics:
    1) Midterms must be taken during the common exam period (6:30–7:45 PM) unless accommodations apply; final must occur during the Institute’s designated final period (6:00–8:50 PM).
    2) Testing Center limitations: not open past 5 PM; extended-time accommodations (1.5x or 2x) may require earlier/later in-person timing; coordinate with Prof. Jankowski well before the first midterm.
    3) Final exam accommodations: Testing Center offers accommodation; timely registration required; failure to register may incur penalties; if not registered, final is at 8:30 AM with possible penalties.
    4) Grading: Gradescope is used for grading; post-grading regrades occur within a defined window.
    5) Proctoring: Exams will be proctored in institute-provided rooms; if moved online due to safety, will be proctored via Zoom/MS Teams; no HonorLock.
    6) Tech requirements: If an online move occurs, students must have broadband, webcam, and microphone; video/audio must be on for the full duration.

  • Regrades: Regrade requests are submitted during a specified period after grading via Gradescope; read the solutions key before submitting; inappropriate requests may incur point deductions.

  • Past policies emphasize: no discussion of the curve via email; math questions belong on Piazza or during office hours; grade discussions occur in person or via approved channels.

Honor Code and Academic Integrity

  • Do not cheat; Georgia Tech Honor Code adherence is required; violations reported to the Office of Student Integrity.

  • Common violations include:
    1) Using calculators, books, or notes on quizzes/exams; cell phones, earbuds/headphones prohibited; can result in a zero.
    2) Using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) on assessments or copying from sources.
    3) Allowing others to copy your work.
    4) Taking a test/quiz in someone else’s name or having someone take in your name.
    5) Altering a graded paper and requesting a regrade.
    6) Communicating with others about quizzes/exams during the assessment window.

  • Consequences follow university policy; incidents are reported to the appropriate university office.

Studio Participation and Missed Work Policy

  • Studio attendance: In-person attendance starts Friday, August 29. Each studio yields a participation score of 0 or 1.

  • Dropped scores: The 3 lowest studio participation scores are dropped; allows some absences without penalty.

  • Attendance expectations: Arrive on time, participate actively, stay for the full duration; late arrivals (>5 minutes) or leaving early may yield a 0.

  • Recording/streaming: TAs may stream/record studios; in-person attendance is required for credit.

  • Illness policy: Sick students should not attend studio; medical absences can be excused with proper documentation.

  • Missed work policy (general): Contact the instructor in advance with documentation to excuse an absence or missed assessment; otherwise, a 0.

  • Specific categories for excused absences include:
    • University-approved absence: Notify by Wed, Aug 27, or as soon as possible after approval.
    • Accommodations: Discuss in advance with Prof. Jankowski.
    • Religious holidays: Notify by end of class on Wed, Aug 27 for all missed classes/studios.
    • Illness/medical appointment: Notify in advance with documentation to Dean’s office consistent with privacy laws.
    • Emergencies: Have advisor or Dean’s office contact the instructor.

Makeup Quizzes and Exams

  • Makeup quiz: If excused, makeup occurs 3:30–5:00 PM on the following Tuesday at Prof. Jankowski’s office (Skiles 261).

  • Makeup exam: If excused, makeup occurs Monday after the exam at 5:00 PM or 6:30 PM (finish by 7:45 PM) in Skiles 005.

  • No makeup exams after the Monday immediately following an exam.

  • If you cannot take the makeup due to an excused absence (including Testing Center accommodations), the weight for that exam shifts to the remaining exams, including the final.

  • Early makeup exams are not allowed.

Grade Breakdown and Weighting

  • Distribution:

    • Studio participation: 5%

    • Homework: 10%

    • Quizzes: 15%

    • Midterm 1: 15%

    • Midterm 2: 15%

    • Midterm 3: 15%

    • Final exam: 25%

  • Special rule: If you score higher on your final than on one of the midterms, the final will count for 32.5% and the lowest midterm will count for 7.5%.

    • Note: This rule does not apply to students found guilty of any academic dishonesty in Math 1553.

  • CIOS Incentive: If at least 85% of Math 1553 students complete the CIOS evaluations by Tue, December 2 at 1:00 PM (Atlanta time), we will drop the 3 lowest quiz grades instead of 2.

  • Grade assignments are determined after computing the overall percentage using the weights above.

  • Cutoffs (final letter grades):

    • A: [90ext%,100%][90 ext{\%}, 100\text{\%}]

    • B: [80%,90%)[80\text{\%}, 90\text{\%})

    • C: [70%,80%)[70\text{\%}, 80\text{\%})

    • D: [60%,70%)[60\text{\%}, 70\text{\%})

    • F: [0%,60%)[0\text{\%}, 60\text{\%})

  • Curve policy: If a curve is applied, it affects only the final overall percentage; individual assessments are not curved as the course progresses.

  • Rules about extra credit and devices:

    • No extra credit; no quiz re-takes or exam re-takes.

    • Calculators may be used to check computations on homework; calculators and electronic devices are not allowed on quizzes/exams.

Grade Reporting, Missing Grades, and Regrades

  • After grading, instructors enter grades in Canvas; students must verify accuracy; report discrepancies within two weeks.

  • Studio scores appearing as blank after a week should be addressed with the TA.

  • Regrades for exams: Post-grading window of at least 72 hours; use Gradescope regrade form; provide specific misgrading details; consult the solutions key before requesting a regrade.

  • Inappropriate regrade requests (e.g., vague questions about the key) may lead to point deductions.

  • It is possible for a grade to decrease after a regrade if graders discover an error in the student’s favor.

  • Regrade requests may cause the grader to re-evaluate the entire problem or multiple parts; examples include rubric/button mistakes or hidden grader errors.

Academic Support and Resources

  • Office hours and tutoring: The Math Lab, 1-to-1 tutoring, PLUS sessions; comprehensive tutoring resources listed at https://tutoring.gatech.edu

  • Waitlists, Permits, and Registration: Instructors do not issue permits or manage waitlists; refer to https://math.gatech.edu/permits-and-waitlists for guidelines

  • Lecture expectations: Students are expected to attend lectures and catch up on missed materials and announcements; class disruptions are not tolerated; courtesy is required

  • Snow days and class cancellations: If campus closes, lectures may move online via MS Teams or Zoom; details provided by the instructor

  • Recorded lectures: Some lectures recorded (e.g., Spring 2022) and posted by the instructor; content may include logistics and dates at the start

  • Georgia Tech Resources for support:

    • Office of the Dean of Students; Counseling Center; STAR; Stamps Health Services; Veteran’s Resource Center; Academic advisors; Georgia Tech Police

  • Belonging and Student Support: Statement for Belonging encouraging dialogue about classroom practices to improve inclusivity

  • MyMathLab access:

    • MyMathLab linked to Canvas; access via the “Access Pearson” tool; no course ID required for some accounts

    • If you already have a MyMathLab code from the past 18 months, you may reuse it; otherwise, you may need to purchase a new code

    • Special campus code package includes both textbooks; codes from other vendors may not work; contact the vendor for support

    • If issues with access codes occur, contact the vendor (campus bookstore or Pearson) for help

Additional Course Logistics

  • Missing grades and hard copies of exams:

    • If a grade is not reported on Canvas, the submission may be missing; students should monitor Canvas regularly and report grading errors promptly.

    • After the regrade window closes for a midterm, hard copies may be discarded and only the digital copy on Gradescope remains.

    • Students should inspect Gradescope for their graded exams before the deadline to ensure grading consistency and that scans did not affect scoring.

Exam Integrity and Proctoring Notes

  • Exams will be proctored in designated institute rooms; if a move online is required, proctoring via Zoom/MS Teams will be used.

  • Honor Lock will not be used for online proctoring.

  • Students taking exams online must have a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone; video/audio must be on for the full duration when online.

Practical Reminders and Expectations

  • Always check the common Canvas site front page for office hours, studio locations, and update notices.

  • Do not email about grades; use Piazza for mathematics discussions and in-person meetings or scheduled appointments for grade-related concerns.

  • For any questions about course logistics (dates, policies), refer to the syllabus and course calendar.

  • Be mindful of the honor code in all course activities, including assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Quick Reference: Key Dates and Numbers

  • Three midterm dates: 9/17, 10/15, 11/12 (all Wednesdays) – 6:30–7:45 PM.

  • Final exam: 12/9, 6:00–8:50 PM.

  • Initial policy note: Wednesday night meetings occur only in midterm weeks (6:30–7:45 PM).

  • Grade weights: Studio 5%; Homework 10%; Quizzes 15%; Midterms (3) 45% total (15% each); Final 25%.

  • Drop policies: 3 lowest studio scores; 2 lowest homework scores; 2 lowest quizzes.

  • CIOS improvement incentive: 85% completion by 12/2 1:00 PM to drop 3 quizzes.

  • Final letter grade cutoffs: A [90%, 100%], B [80%, 90%), C [70%, 80%), D [60%, 70%), F [0%, 60%).

Access and Contact Information

  • Instructor: Prof. Jankowski (contact via official channels on Canvas/ syllabus for official communication).

  • For questions about MyMathLab or access codes: follow campus guidance and vendor support channels.

  • For accommodation specifics: contact the Office of Disability Services and discuss with the instructor well in advance of assessments.