Department of Mathematics Generic Syllabus
Boise State University Updated Fall 1998

Math 301
Linear Algebra
4 semester credits

Catalog Description

M 301 LINEAR ALGEBRA (4-0-4)(F,S). Matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces, and linear transformations. PREREQ: MATH 275 or both MATH 175 and MATH 187.

Prerequisites

The rationale for the prerequisite is to ensure that students have an adequate level of ``mathematical maturity'' and an understanding of basic concepts of calculus.

Jurisdiction

This course is not currently controlled by a departmental committee.

Learning Objectives

M 301 is perhaps unique within the Department's offerings in the high degree to which it reflects all four of the Department's teaching goals. It should be one of the most useful courses taken by college mathematics students and yet be logical, rigorous, and, in places, somewhat abstract. Upon completion of this course, students should:

  1. Be able to use the fundamental concepts of linear algebra including matrix algebra, solutions of linear systems, determinants, vector spaces, orthogonality, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. to solve problems based on the these concepts.
  2. Be able to write correct arguments of simple results.
  3. Be able to identify with some specificity a few applied areas (e.g. differential equations, linear programming, control theory, Markov chains, and coding theory) where linear algebra has played an important role.
  4. Be able to use some computer software (e.g. Matlab, Maple, or Mathematica) for the solution of some linear algebra problems.

Assessment of Learning Objectives

The extent to which a student meets the learning objectives is judged by his or her performance on homework, quizzes, and exams.

Topics and Approximate Timeline

The following table is based on a typical semester schedule-60 class meetings of 50 minutes each. The actual amount of time spent on each topic will vary slightly from semester to semester and instructor to instructor.

Number of
Topic Meetings
Introduction 1
Systems of Equations 5
Vector and Matrix Equations 8
Matrix Algebra 6
Determinants 4
Vector Spaces and Subspaces 12
Orthogonality 7
Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors 7
Applications 7
Exams 3

Text

The current text is Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 2nd edition written by David C. Lay and published by Addison Wesley. Other recent texts are Linear Algebra: Ideas and Aplications written by Richard C Penney and published by John Wiley & Sons and Elementary Linear Algebra with Applications written by Richard Hill and published by HBJ.

Format, Student Activities, and Grades

Class meetings involve a combination of lecture, questions and discussion; the instructor chooses the appropriate mix. Homework will consist of problem sets that demonstate the student's ability to apply the concepts of the course to both calculation-type problems as well as proofs. In both forms of the homework, students will be expected to communicate through their writing and through their mathematics. The exams are used to determine whether the student understands the concepts. The instructor chooses the exact grading scheme, but a typical distribution would be:

Homework 200
3 Exams 300
Final Exam 200
Total 700

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