COURSE OUTLINE

Linear Algebra I

TERM: Autumn 2023 INSTRUCTOR(S): S. Bahar (B-315)

PONDERATION: 3-2-3 (class-lab-homework) G. Barill (I-322)
DISCIPLINE: Mathematics H. Bigdely (I-315)
COURSE CREDIT: 2 2/3 R. Catalano (B-313)
PREREQUISITE: Sec. V Math TS or Sec. V Math SN F. Charette (I-321)
or equivalent N. Contino (B-315)
OFFICE HOURS: Office hours will be posted on J-F. Deslandes (I-324)
Omnivox and on your teacher’s V. Godin (B-320)
door at the beginning of the term W.K. Lim (I-328)
P. Slavchev (B-313)
C. Turner (I-322)

COURSE CODE(S) AND MINISTRY 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
• 032N To produce a work in at least one of the liberal arts.

RECOMMENDED 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.
“Pondération 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. Online software
and online platforms such as Crowdmark, Google Forms, Lea Classroom, and WeBWorK may be used for
the course. 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 2023 1

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, row-
echelon 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 Cramer’s 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;
• Use systems of coordinates in R3 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.

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g) To develop the capacity for abstraction through the study of vector spaces.
Performance criteria:
• Define and work with vectors in Rn, linear combinations, linear span, subspaces of Rn, linear
dependence and independence;
• Be able to define and find 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 Moivre’s 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 Kirchhoff’s 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 iθ ;
• 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 sections 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 sections write the same final exam
as students in the regular stream.

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EVALUATION
A term mark will be determined on the basis of the assignment/quiz 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 Type PLAN A PLAN B

Approximately weekly, with at least one
Assignments and/or quizzes 10% 10%/3
graded and returned by the end of Week 5
Dates to be posted by individual instructors
2 Term Tests 50% 50%/3
by the end of Week 2
Final Examination Period Final Examination 40% 80%

For further information about evaluation, please consult the Institutional Policy for the Evaluation of
Student Achievement (IPESA) and the Language Policy available at www.marianopolis.edu/policies.

COLLEGE POLICIES
All College policies can be found at: https://www.marianopolis.edu/policies/

Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement (IPESA)

The Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement (IPESA) reflects the College’s 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 IPESA is available online on the College website and in “Documents” within
Omnivox.

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 submit work that is entirely their own and properly
acknowledge any other person’s contribution to their work, when such contributions are
permitted, in conformity with the guidelines provided by the teacher.

The use of Artificial Intelligence text generating software is not allowed in course evaluations
unless explicitly indicated by your professor.

Cheating, whether intentional or unintentional, constitutes a serious academic offence. It

includes, but is not restricted to, being in possession of or making use of material, tools, or services
that have not been authorized by the teacher or are not permitted under the College’s
Examination Rules, obtaining or providing unauthorized assistance for any submitted work,
making or implying false claims about the submission of work, plagiarism, making false claims or
submitting false documentation related to evaluations or other academic activities, or attempting
to do any of the above.

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 Plagiarism is a form of cheating that occurs when a student presents or submits the work of
another, in whole or in part, as their own. It includes but is not limited to using material from any
source that is not properly cited, submitting someone else’s paper as one’s own and receiving
assistance from tutors, family, or friends that calls the originality of the work into question.
Plagiarism also includes presenting or submitting one’s own work when such work has already
been submitted for evaluation in another course.

Suspected instances of cheating and plagiarism may be discussed with the Department Chair
and will be reported to the Associate Dean, Student Success. The sanction shall be decided by
the Associate Dean, Student Success and may include, but is not limited to, a grade of zero on the
evaluation, a grade of zero in the course, suspension, and/or expulsion from the College. The
severity and nature of the infraction, as well as any prior or concurrent infractions, will be taken
into consideration when determining the sanction. For work in which cheating, including
plagiarism, has been found, the teacher cannot permit a student to rewrite or re-submit the work,
nor accept any replacement for the work. The teacher also cannot adjust the grading scheme of
the course, and the work is excluded from the right to a grade appeal. Regulations related to
cheating and plagiarism are available online in the IPESA at https://www.marianopolis.edu/ipesa,
Section 4.

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 Language Policy is available online on the College website.

Student Code of Conduct

This document outlines expectations for student behaviour. The Student Code of Conduct is available online
on the College website.

Copyrighted Material
Any digital files of print copyrighted material, (including selections from books, journals, magazines,
newspapers, or other print copyrighted sources), shared by the teacher to the students in this course are
intended for the student’s personal use only. The student is permitted to make a single print copy of the
digital file. The student may not share the digital files with anyone outside this course.

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 instructor’s
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-30XS Multiview.

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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 Dean, Student Success 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 Dean, Student Success.
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).

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