COURSE OUTLINE

Linear Algebra I
TERM:
PONDERATION:
DISCIPLINE:
COURSE CREDIT:
PREREQUISITE:
OFFICE HOURS:

Autumn 2015
3-2-3 (class-lab-homework)
Mathematics
2 2/3
Sec. V Math TS or Sec. V
Math SN or equivalent
Posted by your teacher on
Omnivox and on his/her door.

INSTRUCTOR(S): H. Bigdely (I-315)

R. Catalano (G-328)
J.-F. Deslandes (I-322)
V. Gavrin (I-328)
C. Turner (B-323)
S. White (I-315)

COURSE CODE(S) AND MESRS OBJECTIVES

Science (200.**), registered in 201-NYC-05
00UQ To apply the methods of linear algebra and vector geometry to problem solving.
00UU To apply acquired knowledge to one or more subjects in the sciences.
Liberal Arts (700.B0), registered in 201-NYC-05
022Z To apply methods of linear algebra and vector geometry to the study of various phenomena of
human activity.
032L To discuss one or more issues in at least one of the liberal arts.

REQUIRED TEXT(S) / MATERIALS

Text:

Linear Algebra (Custom Marianopolis Edition) by David Poole, Cengage Learning, available at
the Concordia University Bookstore.
Remark: A French-English/English-French Glossary of Mathematical Terms is available. Ask at the
Library.

COURSE CONTENT AND METHODOLOGY:

This course covers basic concepts and techniques of Linear Algebra: systems of linear equations; matrix
algebra; determinants; vectors in Rn; geometry of lines and planes; vector spaces including linear
dependence and independence, basis and dimension. An introduction to complex numbers is also given.
The methods of Linear Algebra have wide applications in other areas of science, e.g. electrical circuits and
networks, balancing chemical equations, economics models, fitting curves to data points.
Pondration 3-2-3" means that the learning activities of the course are organized in 3+2=5 hours of class
time per week for the presentation of theory and examples, problem sessions and question periods, plus 3
hours per week for personal study and completion of written homework assignments. Assignments will be
collected on a regular basis and marked. Be aware that some assignments will require the use of computer
technology. Each instructor will post office hours for consultation outside of class time. Department policy
permits students to approach any instructor of Linear Algebra I (not just their own) for help during office
hours.
201-NYC

Department of Mathematics, Marianopolis College Autumn 2015

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
(Order may vary at the discretion of the instructor.)
a) To solve systems of linear equations using Gaussian elimination.
Performance criteria:
Know the definitions of matrices and their order, elementary row operations, row equivalence, rowechelon matrices, Gaussian elimination;
Apply Gaussian elimination to obtain the solution of homogeneous and non-homogeneous systems;
Write solutions in terms of parameters using vector notation.
b) To solve systems of linear equations using matrix algebra.
Performance criteria:
Recognize different types of square matrices: triangular, diagonal, scalar, symmetric, anti-symmetric;
Perform algebraic operations on matrices;
Use correctly the rules of matrix algebra involving product, transpose, inverses;
Use the Gauss-Jordan algorithm for finding inverses; represent a matrix as a product of elementary
matrices;
Prove the Invertibility Theorem;
Use inverse matrices to solve systems of linear equations.
c) To study determinants and applications to systems of linear equations.
Performance criteria:
Know the definition of determinants by cofactor expansion;
Evaluate determinants by row reduction and cofactor expansion;
Use the properties of determinants;
Use Cramers rule to solve systems of linear equations.
d) To establish connections between geometry and algebra.
Performance criteria:
Recognize and describe vectors in algebraic (symbolic) terms and in geometric (graphic) terms;
3
Use systems of coordinates in R to relate these two viewpoints;
Perform operations on vectors;
Compute the norm of a vector, the dot product;
Define and use orthogonal projections to decompose a vector into parallel and perpendicular
components along another vector;
Use the cross product and triple scalar product to determine collinearity and coplanarity of vectors.
e) To apply linear algebra and vector methods to geometry.
Performance criteria:
Calculate lengths, angles between vectors, areas and volumes;
Derive the equation of loci (straight lines, planes); determine their intersections, whether they are
parallel, perpendicular;
Find the shortest distance between points, lines and planes;
Make two- and three-dimensional drawings of loci.
f) To demonstrate simple propositions.
Performance criteria:
Prove geometric properties of triangles, parallelograms, etc., using vector methods;
Prove relations involving matrix products, inverses, transposes, determinants through correct use of
appropriate rules.
201-NYC

Department of Mathematics, Marianopolis College Autumn 2015

g) To develop the capacity for abstraction through the study of vector spaces.
Performance criteria:
n
n
Define and work with vectors in R , linear combinations, linear span, subspaces of R , linear
dependence and independence;
Be able to define and find a basis for the column space of a given matrix, the solution space of a
homogeneous linear system, their basis and dimension.
h) To introduce complex numbers.
Performance criteria:
Perform arithmetic on complex numbers, including computing conjugates and high powers of i;
Factor quadratic polynomials with real coefficients over C;
Interpret a complex number and operations governing complex numbers geometrically in the
complex plane (especially addition of two complex numbers as vector addition);
Go from the rectangular form of a complex number to the polar form and vice versa;
Compute zw, z/w and zn using the polar form of two complex numbers z and w;
State De Moivres Law.
i) Integrative activity: To express concrete problems as systems of linear equations and solve them. To
interpret the results.
Performance criteria:
Electrical circuits and Kirchhoffs laws.
Optional Topics: At the discretion of the instructor and as time permits:
Linear transformations of the plane,
Cryptography,
Balancing chemical equations,
Flow through networks,
Solving linear programming problems,
Graph theory,
Eigenvalues and eigenvectors,
Leontief input-output models in economics,
Using the adjoint to find the inverse of a matrix,
Stating, proving and using the Cauchy-Schwarz and the triangle inequalities,
Defining and finding a basis for the row space of a given matrix,
Angles of intersection of lines, planes. Nearest points on skew lines,
Abstract vector spaces, in particular, interpreting C as a two-dimensional vector space over R with
basis vectors 1, i,
Exponential form of complex numbers: e i ,
Find the n-th roots of a complex number and plot them on the appropriate circle in the complex
plane.
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, Linear Factors Theorem, Conjugate Roots Theorem.
Enrichment Component: The enriched section of mathematics courses cover most topics in more depth
and include a small number of extra topics. Less time is spent on steps involving algebraic manipulation
and more time on concepts and applications. Students in the enriched section write the same final exam as
students in the regular stream.

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Department of Mathematics, Marianopolis College Autumn 2015

EVALUATION:
A term mark will be determined on the basis of the assignment grades and the results of two term tests.
Each teacher will specify the dates of these term tests at the beginning of the semester. There will be a
comprehensive final exam common to all sections. The final grade will be the better of:
PLAN A: 60% of the term mark + 40% of the final exam mark
PLAN B: 20% of the term mark + 80% of the final exam mark

Due Week
Approximately weekly
Week of Sept. 21 (week 6) (*)
Week of Oct. 26 (week 11) (*)
Final Examination Period

Type
Maple activity, assignments and/or quizzes
Term Test 1
Term Test 2
Final Examination

PLAN A
12%
24%
24%
40%

PLAN B
4%
8%
8%
80%

(*) Dates to be posted by individual instructors by the end of Week 2.

For further information about evaluation, please consult the Institutional Policy for the Evaluation of
Student Achievement (IPESA) and the Language Policy for Marianopolis College appended to it (available at
www.marianopolis.edu).
COLLEGE POLICIES
Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement (IPESA)
The Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement (IPESA) reflects the Colleges philosophy
on education and guides the assessment of student achievement by way of progressive and systematic
evaluation. This policy describes the goals and objectives of such evaluation, documents the means taken to
arrive at comprehensive and fair evaluation, and establishes the rights and sharing of responsibilities for all
participants. All students and faculty, administration and staff members are responsible for knowing the
provisions of the policy. The Marianopolis IPESA is available online: www.marianopolis.edu/ipesa
Language Policy
The Marianopolis graduate shall be prepared to bring the powers of thought and language not only to the
challenge of academic studies but also to that of personal and public leadership in the contemporary world.
In all course activities, attention shall be paid to the structure of thought and the language characteristic of
the discipline; to reinforcing and integrating the language objectives of the different programs; and to the
criteria of the ministerial exit examination in language: comprehension and insight, organization of
response, and expression. High standards in the quality of written and spoken language shall be
maintained. The Marianopolis Language Policy is available online: www.marianopolis.edu/language-policy
Student Code of Conduct
This document outlines expectations for Student behaviour. The Marianopolis Student Code of Conduct is
available in your Student Agenda and online: www.marianopolis.edu/student-code-of-conduct
Academic Integrity
In keeping with the principles of fairness and honesty and consistent with the standards upheld by
institutions of higher learning, the College is committed to promoting and protecting academic integrity.
Students are expected to properly acknowledge any other persons contribution to their work, when such
contributions are permitted, in conformity with the guidelines provided by the teacher.
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Department of Mathematics, Marianopolis College Autumn 2015

Cheating is a serious academic offence. Cheating means any dishonest or deceptive practice. It includes,
but is not restricted to, making use or being in possession of unauthorized material, obtaining or providing
unauthorized assistance for any submitted work, false claims about the submission of work, disobeying the
Colleges Examination Rules, plagiarism, or attempting to do any of the above.
Plagiarism occurs when a student presents or submits the work of another, in whole or in part, as his or her
own. It includes but is not limited to using material or ideas from any source that is not cited, submitting
someone elses paper as ones own, receiving assistance from tutors, family, or friends that calls the
originality of the work into question.
Suspected instances of cheating and plagiarism will be reported to the Associate Academic Dean and the
Department Chair. The penalty shall be decided by the Associate Academic Dean, and may include, but is
not limited to, a grade of zero on the plagiarized work; a grade of zero in the course; and/or expulsion from
the College. Any judgment resulting in this grade or penalty is final; associated work is excluded from any
grade appeal, and no assignment may replace such work. Regulations related to cheating and plagiarism
are available online in the Marianopolis IPESA: www.marianopolis.edu/ipesa Section 4, page 14.

POLICIES SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE

The student must make a conscious attempt at writing clear and coherent solutions to problems, justifying
all steps. Neatness is also important. Full credit may not be given if the instructor considers the
presentation unsatisfactory.
Late Assignments: Late assignments may not be accepted, or may be subject to a penalty at the instructors
discretion.
Rules for testing situations: In order to ensure that no student has an unfair advantage over other students,
the only calculator permitted during quizzes, class tests and final examinations at the College is Texas
Instruments Model TI-30XII (B or S).
Attendance and Participation: While no grades are awarded for attendance and participation, they are
mandatory for the successful completion of the course.
General Policies and Classroom Rules:
In order to facilitate the smooth running of the course, the following rules will be in force throughout the
term:
1. Students are expected to attend class, to arrive on time, and not to leave class until dismissed.
2. Whereas making the occasional comment to a fellow student in class is not unreasonable,
behaviour that has the effect of disturbing the class or distracting the teacher and other
students is rude and inconsiderate and will not be tolerated. Students who cannot or will not
observe these rules will be asked to leave the class and may have to meet with the Associate
Academic Dean before being permitted to re-join the class.
3. If a student misses a class, it is his/her responsibility to keep track of the material covered and
announcements made during the class.
4. Make-up tests are not a right. The possibility of a make-up test is left to the discretion of the
instructor.
5. Student caught cheating or plagiarizing will be sent to the Associate Academic Dean.
6. The use of cell phones, tablets, laptops or other devices in the classroom is subject to the
approval of each instructor, as per the Marianopolis Student Code of Conduct (Section 3).

201-NYC

Department of Mathematics, Marianopolis College Autumn 2015