Linear Analysis

Math 675-001 (Fall 2024)

This web page will be updated regularly and always contain the latest information on the course.

Instructor: Thomas Wanner
  Office: Exploratory Hall 4404
  E-mail: twanner@gmu.edu
  Web Page: https://math.cos.gmu.edu/~wanner
  Office Hours: MW 2-3pm, and by appointment
Learning Assistant: Frank Pryor
  Office: Exploratory Hall 4311
  E-mail: fpryor@gmu.edu
  Office Hours: MW 12-1pm, GTA Office
  Prelim Session: T 2-3pm, F 11am-12pm, Exploratory Hall 4307
Lectures: MW 4:30-5:45pm, Exploratory Hall 4106
Prerequisites: Math 315 and Math 322, or equivalent.
Textbook: There is no required textbook for the course, I will post handwritten lecture notes on Canvas after every class.
While I will draw the material from a variety of sources, the following two texts can be used for supplementary reading:
📕 E. Kreyszig: Introductory Functional Analysis with Applications, Wiley, 1978.
📘 A.N. Kolmogorov and S.V. Fomin: Introductory Real Analysis, Dover, 1970.

Detailed lecture notes, solutions to homework assignments, reading assignments, and additional materials can be found on the Canvas site for this course. Homework assignments can be found on Gradescope, which is linked through Canvas as well. Please make sure to check there regularly!

Overview & Learning Outcomes

In this course you will learn basic concepts and techniques of linear functional analysis. These techniques constitute the abstract mathematical framework for solving a variety of applied problems, and applications of the theory will be given throughout the course. In addition to a brief introduction to the necessary topological concepts, the course covers basic Banach and Hilbert space theory, the theory of bounded linear operators between such spaces, as well as the fundamental theorems of functional analysis. A more detailed syllabus can be found here. It will be updated weekly. This course is one of the core courses of the graduate program, and will therefore cover all the topics outline in the Linear Analysis Preliminary Exam Syllabus.

Homework Assignments

Homework problems will be assigned once a week and posted on Gradescope. Some of these assignments will be graded and count towards your homework score. While the remaining ones do not have to be handed in, I do advise everyone strongly to study them and write out the solutions properly. I will post detailed solutions as well as videos discussing the solutions on Canvas, and you will not benefit from this if you have not made a serious attempt at solving the problems.

Grading Policy

Your final grade in the course will be determined from your performance in the homework assignments, a midterm exam, a final exam, and your attendance and participation in class. Weights for these items will be distributed approximately according to the following schedule:

  Homework     Midterm Exam     Final Exam     Attendance  
50% 20% 20% 10%

The assignment of your course grade is based on the total course score. The following grading scale may serve as a guideline:

Letter Grade A B C D F
  Score above     90%     80%     70%     60%     otherwise  

These percentages might change, and any changes will be announced in class.

Important Notice

This course will be hosted on Canvas for the Fall 2024 semester. Please ensure you are familiar with accessing and navigating this platform. Resources and support are available at https://lms.gmu.edu/getting-started-students/ to help you get started. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me or contact the ITS Support Center for assistance.