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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Mathematics : Mathematics

Undergraduate Course: Numerical Linear Algebra (MATH10098)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Mathematics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryDriven by the needs of applications, this course studies reliable and computationally efficient numerical techniques for practical linear algebra problems. As well as traditional theoretical assessment
of the algorithms studied, an advanced programming language is used to perform practical experiments to complement students¿ insight into the subject.
Course description Linear Algebra is one of the most widely used topics in the mathematical sciences. At level 8 or 9 students are taught standard techniques for basic linear algebra tasks including the solution of linear systems, finding eigenvalues/eigenvectors and orthogonalisation of bases. However, these techniques are usually computationally too intensive to be used for the large matrices encountered in practical applications. This course will introduce students to these practical issues, and will present, analyse, and apply algorithms for these tasks which are reliable and computationally efficient. The course includes significant lab work using an advanced programming language. The course studies three main topics: the solution of linear systems of equations, the solution of least squares problems and finding the eigenvectors and/or eigenvalues of a matrix.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: ( Introduction to Linear Algebra (MATH08057) OR Accelerated Algebra and Calculus for Direct Entry (MATH08062)) AND ( Several Variable Calculus and Differential Equations (MATH08063) OR Introductory Fields and Waves (PHYS08053)) AND ( Computing and Numerics (MATH08065) OR Computer Simulation (PHYS08026) OR Programming and Data Analysis (PHYS08049))
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Numerical Linear Algebra and Applications (MATH10059) OR Numerical Linear Algebra and Applications (MATH11196) AND Numerical Linear Algebra and Applications (MATH11196)
Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students are advised to check that they have studied the material covered in the syllabus of any pre-requisite course listed above before enrolling.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 18, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 12, Summative Assessment Hours 1.5, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 61 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework 50%, Examination 50%
Feedback Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Numerical Linear Algebra1:30
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Describe some of the most well-known algorithms in numerical linear algebra.
  2. Analyse and discuss the computational efficiency of algorithms for solving linear systems of equations, solving least squares problems and finding one or more eigenvalues and/or eigenvectors of a matrix.
  3. Discuss the implications of matrix conditioning and floating point arithmetic on the accuracy of computed solutions.
  4. Perform scientific investigation of a method by implementing it and performing experiments in an advanced programming language.
Reading List
Numerical Linear Algebra and Applications, Second Edition", by B. N. Datta, SIAM, ISBN: 978-0-898716-85-6
Numerical Linear Algebra by Lloyd "Nick" Trefethen and David Bau III, SIAM, ISBN: 978-0898713619
Applied numerical linear algebra by James "Jim" Demmel, SIAM, ISBN: 978-0898713893
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordsnumerical methods,linear algebra,programming
Contacts
Course organiserDr Aretha Teckentrup
Tel: (0131 6)50 5776
Email: A.Teckentrup@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Sarah McDonald
Tel: (0131 6)50 5043
Email: sarah.a.mcdonald@ed.ac.uk
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