STAT-555: Matrix Algebra for Statistics  (3 credits)
South Dakota State University
(Fall 2008 Internet)

Course Meeting Time and Location: Sept. 3, 2008 - Dec. 19, 2008, Internet (D2L delivered).

Contact Information:
Instructor: Dr. Weiming Ke
Office location: Harding Hall, Room 122
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 3:00-5:00 PM or by appointment (made through e-mail or phone)
Office phone number: (605) 688-6877
Email address: weiming.ke@sdstate.edu
More information about the instructor of this course can be found on http://teach.sdstate.edu/users/kew/

Communication Preference: D2L email.

Course Description: Matrix/Linear Algebra concepts especially useful in statistics, focusing on those not covered in a typical undergraduate linear algebra course, such as quadratic forms, idempotent, positive definite, generalized inverse, matrix decomposition, and matrix calculus.

Course Prerequisites: Math-215 or permission of the instructor.

Description of Instructional Methods:
Check the schedule (on the course home page). You should read the online materials, the chapters in the textbook, and do the homework and tests before the due dates. Submit your homework and tests as an attachment to an internal D2L e-mail. If you have any questions, compose a discussion message. If you can answer someone's questions, please do so, it will help you to learn. If you do not want others to see your questions, use the internal D2L e-mail.

Course Requirements:
1. Required textbook: Matrix Algebra Useful for Statistics, by Shayle. R. Searle, John Wiley & Sons 2006. ISBN: 978-0-470-00961-1.
2. Required technology:  Access to a computer with internet is needed for this course.
3. Technology support: For assistance with technology problems or access to D2L, contact the Help Desk at 605-688-6776.
4. Class attendance policy: Login at least two times a week to read the online materials and examples or to submit your homework.
5. Academic honesty policy: The instructor abides by the policies endorsed by the SDSU administration. See SDSU Conduct Code 01:10:25 at http://studentaffairs.sdstate.edu/JudicialAffairs/StudentCode/Chapter10.pdf
6. Make-up policy: Each assignment and test should be submitted before the due dates. If there is an emergency please contact the instructor to make the necessary arrangements for adjusting the due dates.

Course Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to demonstrate an ability to apply and interpret basic mathematical matrix operations, especially those arising in statistics and the quantitative subjects that are useful in the analysis of data.

How to Submit Homework and Tests: Homework and tests should be submitted as an attachment to an internal D2L email.

Grading Policy

• Homework  → 30 PTS
• Mid Term    → 30 PTS
• Final Exam   → 40 PTS
• Total Grade  → 100 PTS

Grading Scale: 90-100 → A, 80-89 → B, 70-79 → C,  60-69 → D,  0-59 → F

Tentative Exam Due Dates:
 
Mid Term : October 24, 2008
Final Exam: December 19, 2008

Tentative Course Schedule: see Schedule on Content Page.

ADA Statement:
 
This course acknowledges the importance of ADA requirements. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Coordinator of Disability Services privately to discuss your specific needs. Please contact the Office of Disability Services at 605/688-4504 (Voice) or 605/688-4394 (TTD), or at the office in Wintrode, Room 123 to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Please discuss your needs with the instructor as well.

Freedom in Learning:
 
Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Student who believes that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should first contact the instructor of the course to initiate a review of the evaluation. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/ or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.