MA201-5-AU-CO:
Linear Algebra

The details
2024/25
Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
10 May 2024

 

Requisites for this module
MA114
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

MA204, MA225, MA301, MA316, MA323

Key module for

BSC N233 Actuarial Science (Including Placement Year),
BSC N323 Actuarial Science,
BSC N323DF Actuarial Science,
BSC N324 Actuarial Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC N325 Actuarial Science (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G100 Mathematics,
BSC G102 Mathematics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC G103 Mathematics (Including Placement Year),
BSC G104 Mathematics (Including Foundation Year),
MMATG198 Mathematics,
BSC 5B43 Statistics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC 9K12 Statistics,
BSC 9K13 Statistics (Including Placement Year),
BSC 9K18 Statistics (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G1G4 Mathematics with Computing (Including Year Abroad),
BSC G1G8 Mathematics with Computing (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G1GK Mathematics with Computing,
BSC G1IK Mathematics with Computing (Including Placement Year),
BSC G1F3 Mathematics with Physics,
BSC G1F4 Mathematics with Physics (Including Placement Year),
BSC G1F5 Mathematics with Physics (Including Foundation Year),
BSC GCF3 Mathematics with Physics (Including Year Abroad),
MSCIN399 Actuarial Science and Data Science,
MSCIG199 Mathematics and Data Science,
BSC N333 Actuarial Studies,
BSC N334 Actuarial Studies (Including Placement Year),
BSC N335 Actuarial Studies (Including Year Abroad)

Module description

This module gives an introduction to abstract linear algebra with a focus on the development of basic theory and its relation to matrix theory, including abstract vector spaces, bases, linear maps and diagonalization. There is a strong emphasis in examples that go beyond affine space.


Vectors are ubiquitous in mathematics and, for this reason, one sees vectors in the plane and space in school and our mathematical intuition builds around them. Can we interpret various mathematical structures, such as sets of functions, as spaces of vectors? This is the paradigm of Linear Algebra, which finds applications to many fields including computer vision and economics.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To understand the basic notions in abstract linear algebra and how they generalise notions they know from real vector spaces (e.g. bases and coordinates).

  • To develop students’ critical understanding of some of the main results in linear algebra and how to apply them to specific problems.

  • To carry out computations for abstract vector spaces and linear mappings to solve problems in a varied number of settings.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be expected to:



  1. Have an understanding of key definitions in linear algebra and awareness of how they interact and support each other.

  2. Select and apply relevant theorems to examples and problems, with a special emphasis on abstract vector spaces (such as solutions to ODEs, vector spaces of polynomials, other subspaces of functions and other abstract examples that they have not encountered before in this context).

  3. Be able to prove when a given set is a vector space and a given map is linear.

  4. Be able to check whether a linear map is onto, one-to-one and an isomorphism, making use of both the definition and the structure of linear maps.

  5. Check whether a set of vectors is linearly independent, spanning and/or a basis.

  6. Determine the coordinates of vectors for a given basis and find the matrix of a change of basis, as well as using it to recalculate coordinate vectors.

  7. Carry out the diagonalisation of an abstract linear map as well as understand the relation between algebraic and geometric multiplicities.

  8. Be comfortable working with abstract constructions of vector spaces such as sums, direct sums, intersections, and the Hom functor.

Module information

Linear algebra is a fundamental mathematical subject, and its techniques can be applied throughout mathematics as a black box. The general aim of this module is to allow students to recognise when linear algebra techniques apply, through an understanding of the abstract concepts, as well as the practical ability to apply these techniques and solve problems.


Indicative syllabus:


Abstract definition and examples of vector spaces over arbitrary fields.
Subspaces, spans and related results.
Linearly dependent and linearly independent sets and related results.
Bases, dimension and related results.
Rank of a matrix and its equivalent definitions. Rouché-Capelli theorem.
Linear maps, rank of a linear map, image and kernel and related results, rank-nullity theorem, injections, surjections and isomorphisms.
Coordinates of vectors, matrices of linear maps, change of basis.
Diagonalisation of linear maps.
Examples of abstract vector spaces and maps, including spaces of polynomials, functions and solutions of ODEs. Sum, intersection and direct sum of vector spaces. Hom space.

Learning and teaching methods

Teaching in the School will be delivered using a range of face to face lectures, classes and lab sessions as appropriate for each module. Modules may also include online only sessions where it is advantageous, for example for pedagogical reasons, to do so.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Assignment   13/11/2024   
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
20% 80%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
20% 80%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Alexei Vernitski, email: asvern@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Alexei Vernitski
maths@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Prof Stephen Langdon
Brunel University London
Professor
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 2 hours, 2 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

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