WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Valhalla, NY 10595

Syllabus Form Rev. 20141125

1. CURRENT DATE: Fall 2017

Please indicate whether this is a NEW COURSE or a REVISION: REVISION

DATE OF PRIOR REVISION: Fall 2014

2. NAME OF ORIGINATOR or REVISOR: Sean Simpson

3. COURSE# MATH 215

4. NAME OF COURSE: Linear Algebra

5. COURSE DESCRIPTION (no more than 65 words)

A challenging introduction to modern mathematical thinking, showing the structure of
mathematics as opposed to routine mathematical techniques. Topics include: vector spaces, linear
mappings, bases, duality, orthogonality and scalar products, determinants and matrices, and matrix
transformations. Applications in engineering, science, business and computer science.

6. NUMBER OF CREDITS: 4
Note SUNY credit hour policy at: http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=168

7. NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS PER TERM:

a. Lecture hours per term: 60 b. Lab hours per term: 0

8. APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY OF OFFERING THIS COURSE: Spring and Summer

9. PREREQUISITES or PLACEMENT SCORES:

Calculus 2

10. COREQUISITES:
None

11. ASSOCIATED COURSES (such as field courses):

N/A

12. PLACE OF THIS COURSE IN CURRICULUM: (Check one, explain as needed)

☐ Required for curriculum: ________
☐ College Core
☐ Elective
☒ Other: _ Part of Required/Recommended Sequence with: Math 240 Differential Equations

13. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/CLASS NOTES – if there is additional information about this course that
the student should know, such as “Dissection is a required part of this course.” or “Expertise of
sewing on a machine is required”
________

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14. REQUIRED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS:
Text: Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 4th Edition by David C. Lay, Addison Wesley.
Calculator: TI-83/84 Plus

15. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) and COURSE OBJECTIVES

 Under each SLO, list the related course objective(s).
Reminder: The SLOs are the one to four measurable overarching competencies a student is
expected to have attained at the end of the course, and the course objectives are the stepping
stones to attaining these SLOs.
 For every Student Learning Outcome, describe at least one measure, instrument, tool,
observation, etc.

SLO/Objectives - Upon successful completion, the student will be able to: Outcomes will be
measured by one or
more of the following:
SLO1: The student will become proficient with the language and basic homework, class
methodologies of Linear Algebra. participation, quizzes (in
1. Solve Linear Algebra problems by using correct mathematical symbols, class or take home), tests
formulas and expressions. (in class or take home),
2. Prove basic Linear Algebra results using formal proof techniques. projects, final exam
3. Be able to discuss the difference between vector spaces and inner
product spaces.
4. Be able to effectively compute and use eigenvalues and eigenvectors,
including complex value cases.

SLO2: The student will achieve competence in some applications of Linear homework, class
Algebra. participation, quizzes (in
1. Choose appropriate formulae and Liner Algebra techniques to solve class or take home), tests
application problems. (in class or take home),
2. Use determinants to solve applications, such as Cramer’s rule, areas projects, final exam
and volumes.
3. Be able to compute a matrix factorization (LU or QR, among other
possibilities).

SLO3: The student will achieve a basic understanding of vector spaces, homework, class
not limited to only R^n. participation, quizzes (in
1. Being able to show that a set is a vector space. class or take home), tests
2. Understand the meaning of null space, column space and row space, (in class or take home),
and know how to find these spaces. projects, final exam
3. Understand the meaning of dimension and rank.
4. Be able to discuss the relationship between the dimension of null
spaces, column spaces and row spaces.

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 SLO4: The student will develop the ability to communicate mathematical homework, class
ideas, both verbally and in writing. participation, quizzes (in
1. Write mathematical proofs and explain reasoning behind each step. class or take home), tests
2. Establish that a set is a vector space. (in class or take home),
3. Use the concept of rank to make arguments for (or against) the projects, final exam
existence of particular situations.
4. Use properties of determinants to make appropriate computational
extensions in proofs.

SUNY General Education (GE) area: Mathematics

If this is a general education course, indicate how the course is meeting the SUNY Related Course SLO and
General Education requirement for the discipline. Measure
(SUNY GE Outcomes in Appendix A)
SUNY GE 1: Interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models SLO 1, 2, 3
such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics.
SUNY GE 2: Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
numerically and verbally
SUNY GE 3: Employ quantitative methods such as, arithmetic, algebra, SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
geometry, or statistics to solve problems
SUNY GE 4: Estimate and check mathematical results for reasonableness. SLO 2, 3
SUNY GE 5: Recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods. SLO 1, 2, 3

16. COURSE GRADING CRITERIA:

The type of assessment will be decided by the individual instructor. Options might include the
following:
1. Unit Exams/In-Class Exams
2. Mid-Term Exam
3. Quizzes
4. Collected Individual or Group Assignments
5. Class Participation and Attendance
6. Poster presentation
7. Final Exam

17. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: List the different instructional methods you might use, in the course of
the semester. List supplementary learning options, if any:
1. Teacher oriented in-class lectures
2. Teacher guided in-class group work
3. Student oriented in-class work
4. Student oriented in-class group work
5. Student oriented out of class work
6. Community sponsored professional lectures
Supplementary learning options
7. Attending instructor's schedule weekly office hours regularly
8. Visiting math/physics tutorial regularly
9. Utilizing on-line course textbook support
10. Utilizing video/compact disc supplements

18. TOPIC OUTLINE:

Chapter 1 Linear Equations in Linear Algebra
1.1 Systems of Linear Equations

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 1.2 Row Reduction and Echelon Forms
1.3 Vector Equations
1.4 The Matrix Equation Ax = b
1.5 Solution Sets of Linear Systems
1.6 Applications of Linear Systems*
1.7 Linear Independence
1.8 Introduction to Linear Transformations
1.9 The Matrix of a Linear Transformation
1.10 Linear Models in Business, Science, and Engineering

Chapter 2 Matrix Algebra

2.1 Matrix Operations
2.2 The Inverse of a Matrix
2.3 Characterizations of Invertible Matrices
2.5 Matrix Factorizations
2.6 The Leontief Input-Output Model*

Chapter 3 Determinants
3.1 Introduction of Determinants
3.2 Properties of Determinants
3.3 Cramer’s Rule, Volume, and Linear Transformations

Chapter 4 Vector Spaces

4.1 Vector Spaces and Subspaces
4.2 Null Spaces, Column Spaces, and Linear Transformations
4.3 Linearly Independent Sets; Bases
4.4 Coordinate Systems
4.5 The Dimension of a Vector Space
4.6 Rank
4.7 Change of Basis
* Indicate Applications – some to be chosen (not all)
4.8 Applications to Difference Equations*
4.9 Applications to Markov Chains*

Chapter 5 Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

5.1 Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues
5.2 The Characteristic Equation
5.3 Diagonalization
5.4 Eigenvectors and Linear Transformations
5.5 Complex Eigenvalues
5.6 Discrete Dynamical Systems*
5.7 Applications to Differential Equations*

Chapter 6 Orthogonality and Least Squares

19. UNIQUE ASPECTS OF COURSE (such as equipment, specified software, space requirements, etc.):
A graphing calculator is expected (equivalent to TI-83+/TI84+)

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 APPENDIX A
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL AREAS

1. MATHEMATICS - Students will demonstrate the ability to:

 interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics;
 represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and verbally;
 employ quantitative methods such as, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, or statistics to solve problems;
 estimate and check mathematical results for reasonableness; and
 recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods.

2. NATURAL SCIENCES - Students will demonstrate:

 understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation,
hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and
employment of mathematical analysis; and
 application of scientific data, concepts, and models in one of the natural (or physical) sciences.

3. SOCIAL SCIENCES - Students will demonstrate:

 understanding of the methods social scientists use to explore social phenomena, including observation,
hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and
employment of mathematical and interpretive analysis; and
 knowledge of major concepts, models and issues of at least one discipline in the social sciences.

4. AMERICAN HISTORY - Students will demonstrate:

 knowledge of a basic narrative of American history: political, economic, social, and cultural, including
knowledge of unity and diversity in American society;
 knowledge of common institutions in American society and how they have affected different groups; and
 understanding of America's evolving relationship with the rest of the world.

5. WESTERN CIVILIZATION - Students will:

 demonstrate knowledge of the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy,
society, culture, etc., of Western civilization; and
 relate the development of Western civilization to that of other regions of the world.

6. OTHER WORLD CIVILIZATIONS - Students will demonstrate:

 knowledge of either a broad outline of world history, or
 the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc., of one non-Western
civilization.

7. HUMANITIES - Students will demonstrate:

 knowledge of the conventions and methods of at least one of the humanities in addition to those
encompassed by other knowledge areas required by the General Education program.

8. THE ARTS - Students will demonstrate:

 understanding of at least one principal form of artistic expression and the creative process inherent therein.

9. FOREIGN LANGUAGE - Students will demonstrate:

 basic proficiency in the understanding and use of a foreign language; and knowledge of the distinctive
features of culture(s) associated with the language they are studying.

10. BASIC COMMUNICATION - Students will:

• produce coherent texts within common college-level written forms;
• demonstrate the ability to revise and improve such texts;
• research a topic, develop an argument, and organize supporting details;
• develop proficiency in oral discourse; and
• evaluate an oral presentation according to established criteria.

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