Unit information: Linear Algebra and Geometry in 2018/19

Unit name	Linear Algebra and Geometry
Unit code	MATH11005
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Misha Rudnev
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	A in A Level Mathematics or equivalent
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Mathematics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Linear Algebra and Geometry constitute the bedrock of higher mathematics. They are indispensable and used in one form or another throughout every mathematical discipline. This unit aims to lay down foundational concepts for studying maths at the undergraduate level and enable students to develop clear mathematical thinking.

The unit begins with the complex plane, conics, and hyperplanes in n-space, which leads to the straightforward ideas of vectors and matrices, and develops the abstract notion of vector spaces. This is one of the basic structures of pure mathematics; yet the methods of the course are also fundamental for applied mathematics and statistics.

Additional unit information can be found at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit, the students should:

• have developed some familiarity with abstract mathematical thinking;
• be familiar with geometric objects like lines, planes and hyperplanes, and their axiomatic generalisation into vector spaces and linear maps;
• be able to solve linear equations using elementary operations;
• be able to work with matrix algebra, including matrix inverses, determinants, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Teaching Information

Lectures, supported by lecture notes with problem sets and model solutions, problems classes and small group tutorials.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment:

• problem sheets set by the lecturer and marked by the students’ tutors.

Summative assessment:

• Two 1.5h exams (45%) after each teaching block
• Coursework (10%)

Reading and References

Recommended reading:

• G. Strang, Linear Algebra and its Applications
• R. Allenby, Linear Algebra
• H. Anton and C. Rorres, Elementary Linear Algebra
• S. Lang, Linear Algebra
• S. Lipschutz and M. Lipson, Linear Algebra

Further reading and references are available at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html