Admission requirements
None
Description
In this course we introduce matrices as a tool for representing and solving systems of linear equations. We will study the process of row reducing a matrix to the reduced echelon form, algebraic operations with matrices and the properties of matrices (such as the determinant, null space, their column space, rank, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, matrix diagonalization). We will also study the relation of matrices to linear transformations, and introduce the concept of vector spaces and their dimension.
Course objectives
Upon successful completion of the course; a student will be able to:
Describe a system of linear equations using matrices.
Solve a system of linear equations using the row reduction algorithm.
Carry out matrix operations, including calculating products, inverses and determinants of matrices.
Explain and be able to use the concepts of linear independence and linear combinations.
Explain and be able to use the concept of a linear transformation.
Explain the concept of a vector space and a vector subspace, and give examples of vector spaces and vector subspaces.
Compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix, and diagonalize a matrix if possible.
Schedule
In MyTimetable; you can find all course and programme schedules; allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally; you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone; and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video; read the instructions; or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Teaching method
There will be a weekly lecture and a weekly problem session (tutorial). Homework will be assigned after each lecture. During the problem sessions; the students will have the opportunity to ask questions about the material covered so far and check their homework solutions. Homework will not be collected, but used as a tool to prepare for weekly quizzes. Quizzes will take place during the tutorial (except in the first week). Quizzes will be 15-20 minutes long. Quizzes will be graded, and the grade for quizzes will contribute a bonus point to the final grade.
Assesment method
Written exam (100% of the final grade) and in-class written quizzes administered during tutorials. Quizzes are not compulsory, they contribute a bonus point to the grade at the exam. The bonus point contributes to the grade of the written exam. Quizzes are optional; they are not required for passing the course and do not have a retake opportunity.
Students can earn a bonus of maximum 1 point to their exam grade by participating in in-class quizzes. There will be a total of six quizzes; one lowest grade for the quizzes will be dropped. The remaining five grades for quizzes will make equal parts of the bonus point.
The final grade is determined by adding the bonus to the grade of the written (or the retake) exam, and then rounding off to the nearest half integer (e.g. 7.24 becomes 7 and 7.25 becomes 7.5; grades between 5 and 5.5 (not including 5.5) are rounded to 5. Grades between 5.5 and 6 (including 5.5) are rounded to 6. The final grade can never be more than a 10.
Resit, review & feedback
The written exam has a retake opportunity. The grade for the retake exam counts as 100% of the final grade. The bonus point contributes to the grade of the written retake.
Reading list
David. C. Lay: *Linear Algebra and its Applications; Addison-Wesley. *
This book is required for the course, weekly problem sessions will be based on it, and essential reading will be assigned from it. The 5th international edition is recommended, but other editions are also OK; just be aware that the page numbers for the required reading may be incorrect.
Registration
As a student; you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video; you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Education coordinator LIACS bachelors