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Math 251: Honours Algebra II
Instructor: Professor Eyal Goren   (eyal.goren@mcgill*dot*ca), BH 1108.
Office hours: MWF 9:30 - 10:00, or by appointment.
Class: MWF 8:35-9:25, BH 1B23

This course is devoted to the theory of vector spaces and linear transformations. Applications to systems of linear equations, quadratic forms, graph theory, coding theory and more, are sometimes discussed in detail (linear equations) and sometimes are only hinted at (graph theory). Below you will find the official course syllabus and recommended texts. More detailed information concerning the course and all further announcements, assignments and so on will appear on my courses.


Official course syllabus: Linear equations over a field. Introduction to vector spaces. Linear maps and their matrix representation. Determinants. Canonical forms. Duality. Bilinear and quadratic forms. Real and complex inner product spaces. Diagonalization of self-adjoint operators.
Pre-requisites: MATH 235 or permission of the department.

Method of Evaluation: 5% assignments, 10% in-class quiz, 20% midterm, 65% final. Or, if better, 100% final.
Scheduling of, and make-up for, the quiz, or the midterm, will be done following university regulations.
Showing up to classes is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended. As well, attempting all the assignments is highly recommended.

Textbook: The official textbook for the course is my online notes. I also recommend the very affordable text book Seymour Lipschutz/Linear Algebra book by Schaum Outiline series.

Academic integrity: McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures” (see www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest/ for more information).
Submitting work: In accord with McGill University's Charter of Students' Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded.
Syllabus and Grade Calculation: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.