Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Linear Algebra (MATH08057)
Course Outline
| School | School of Mathematics |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | An introduction to linear algebra, mainly in R^n but concluding with an introduction to abstract vector spaces.
The principal topics are vectors, systems of linear equations, matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and orthogonality. The important notions of linear independence, span and bases are introduced.
This course is both a preparation for the practical use of vectors, matrices and systems of equations and also lays the groundwork for a more abstract, pure-mathematical treatment of vector spaces.
Students will learn how to use a computer to calculate the results of some simple matrix operations and to visualise vectors. |
| Course description |
This syllabus is for guidance purposes only :
The course contents are given in the course textbook, Poole, Chapters 1 to Chapter 6.2, with a selection (not all) of the applications covered and selected topics omitted.
The course will have three lecture-theatre-hours and a 90 minute Example Class per week. The figures in parentheses refer to approximate numbers of lecture-theatre hours on each topic.
- Vectors in R^n, and in general. Vectors and geometry (5)
- Systems of linear equations, echelon form, Gaussian elimination, intro to span and linear independence. (6)
- Matrices, multiplication, transpose, inverses, linear maps. Intro to subspaces and bases. Rank. (8)
- Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Determinants (6)
- Orthogonality, Gram-Schmidt, orthogonal diagonalisation. (6)
- Introduction to abstract vector spaces and subspaces. (4)
- Selected applications (taught in sequence where appropriate) (5)
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2018/19, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 17,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 5,
Online Activities 15,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Revision Session Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
119 )
|
| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Students must pass exam and course overall.
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework 20%, Examination 80% |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- solve systems of linear equations and demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the solutions.
- perform accurate and efficient calculations with vectors, matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors in arbitrary dimensions.
- demonstrate a geometrical understanding of vectors and vector operations in 2 and 3 dimensions.
- demonstrate an understanding of orthogonality and projection in arbitrary dimensions.
- argue in a formal style (definition/theorem/proof or use examples) about statements in linear algebra, as the first step towards a more abstract, pure-mathematical treatment of vector spaces.
|
Reading List
| Students will require a copy of the course textbook. This is currently "Linear Algebra, A Modern Introduction" by David Poole. Students are advised not to commit to a purchase until this is confirmed by the Course Team and advice on Editions, etc is given. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | ILA |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Christopher Sangwin
Tel: (0131 6)50 5966
Email: C.J.Sangwin@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Louise Durie
Tel: (0131 6)50 5050
Email: L.Durie@ed.ac.uk |
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