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Linear Algebra (MAST10007)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Summer Term
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Summer Term Semester 1 Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject gives a solid grounding in key areas of modern mathematics needed in science and technology. It develops the concepts of vectors, matrices and the methods of linear algebra. Students should develop the ability to use the methods of linear algebra and gain an appreciation of mathematical proof. Little of the material here has been seen at school and the level of understanding required represents an advance on previous studies.
Systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants; vectors in real n-space, cross product, scalar triple product, lines and planes; vector spaces, linear independence, basis, dimension; linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors; inner products, least squares estimation, symmetric and orthogonal matrices.
Intended learning outcomes
Students completing this subject should:
- be able to use matrix techniques to represent and solve a system of simultaneous linear equations;
- understand the use of vectors in describing lines and planes in solid geometry;
- understand the extension of vector concepts to abstract vector spaces of arbitrary finite dimension;
- understand linear transformations, their matrix representations and applications;
- become familiar with the use of a computer package for symbolic and numeric calculation.
Generic skills
In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:
- problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies;
- analytical skills: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis;
- collaborative skills: the ability to work in a team;
- time-management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments; and
- computer skills: the ability to use mathematical computing packages.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
A study score of at least 27 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4, or equivalent, or one of
- MAST10005 Calculus 1
- MAST10006 Calculus 2
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students may only gain credit for one of
- MAST10007 Linear Algebra
- MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
- MAST10013 UMEP Maths for High Achieving Students
- MAST10018 Linear Algebra Extension Studies
Bachelor of Science students are permitted to complete a maximum of three level-1 Mathematics and Statistics subjects. They are not permitted to complete all four of MAST10005, MAST10006, MAST10007 and MAST10010
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
Summer semester: Five assignments, either written or online, due at weekly intervals during semester amounting to a total of up to 25 pages (10%), one 45-minute written computer laboratory test held at the end of semester (10%), and a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).
Semester 1 and 2: Ten assignments, either written or online, due at weekly intervals during semester amounting to a total of up to 25 pages (10%), one 45-minute written computer laboratory test held at the end of semester (10%), and a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Principal coordinator Peter Forrester Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Summer Semester: 6 x one hour lectures per week, 2 x one hour practice classes per week, 2 x one hour computer laboratory classes per week. Semester 1 and 2: 3 x one hour lectures per week, 1 x one hour practice class per week, 1 x one hour computer laboratory class per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 January 2017 to 17 February 2017 Last self-enrol date 12 January 2017 Census date 13 January 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 February 2017 Assessment period ends 25 February 2017 Summer Term contact information
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Marcy Robertson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Summer Semester: 6 x one hour lectures per week, 2 x one hour practice classes per week, 2 x one hour computer laboratory classes per week. Semester 1 and 2: 3 x one hour lectures per week, 1 x one hour practice class per week, 1 x one hour computer laboratory class per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Paul Norbury Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Summer Semester: 6 x one hour lectures per week, 2 x one hour practice classes per week, 2 x one hour computer laboratory classes per week. Semester 1 and 2: 3 x one hour lectures per week, 1 x one hour practice class per week, 1 x one hour computer laboratory class per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None.
Recommended texts and other resources
Elementary Linear Algebra Applications Version (H. Anton and C. Rorres), 11th edn, Wiley, 2013.
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
Students with a score of 40 or more in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 are strongly encouraged to enrol in both
- MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
- MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2
instead of both
- MAST10006 Calculus 2
- MAST10007 Linear Algebra
Students with a study score of 29 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent, are eligible to enrol in MAST10005 Calculus 1, MAST10006 Calculus 2 or MAST10007 Linear Algebra. Such students should seek course advice before completing their enrolment.
Students require access to a computer with the software package MATLAB installed. This package is currently available in every open-access campus laboratory.
Students will be expected to use the software package MATLAB but no programming knowledge is expected. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Environments Course Bachelor of Biomedicine Course Graduate Diploma in Finance Course Master of Finance Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Spatial Systems Major Pure Mathematics Major Statistics / Stochastic Processes Major Applied Mathematics Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Major Discrete Mathematics / Operations Research Major Environmental Science Major Engineering Systems Breadth Track Electrical Engineering Breadth Track Mechanical Engineering Breadth Track Mathematics and Statistics Breadth Track Mathematics for Economics - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024