CUHK (SZ)

Course Outline

1. Course Identity

A. Course as listed in CUHK (SZ)

The information in this block should be exactly as approved by CUHK Senate. In case
there are any differences, please explain in the table below.

Course code MAT2040

Course title (English) Linear Algebra
Course title (Chinese) 线性代数
Units 3
Description (English) This course aims at introducing fundamental concepts and techniques of
linear algebra. Topics include: linear systems, matrices, vectors, vector
spaces, determinants, linear transformations, orthogonality, eigen-theory,
quadratic forms and singular value decomposition (if time permits).
Description (Chinese) 本课程旨在介绍线性代数的基础概念和方法。内容包括：线性系统，
矩阵，向量，向量空间，行列式，线性变换，正交性，特征理论，
二次型和奇异值分解(若时间允许)。

B. Corresponding course in CUHK

Please give details of the closest corresponding course in CUHK (as approved by CUHK
Senate and listed in course list). If the course in SZ maps to more than one course in
CUHK, please make multiple copies of the block below.

Course code MATH1030

Course title (English) Linear Algebra I
Course title (Chinese) 线性代数 I
Units 3
Description (English) This course is intended to provide conceptual understandings and
computational techniques of linear algebra. Topics include: Gaussian
elimination, theory of simultaneous linear equations, matrices,
determinants, vectors spaces, bases and linear independence, etc.
Description (Chinese)

Course code MATH2040

Course title (English) Linear Algebra II
Course title (Chinese) 线性代数 II
Units 3
Description (English) This is a continuation of MATH1030. Topics include: linear mapping
and its matrix representation, eigenvalues and eigenvectors,
diagonalization, inner product spaces, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization,
spectral theorems and, if time permitted, quadratic forms and Jordan
 canonical forms.
Description (Chinese)

2. Prerequisites / Co-requisites
Please state prerequisites and co-requisites, in terms of courses in CUHK (SZ)* or any
other requirements (e.g., having taken certain subjects in high school).

(* Because course codes may not yet be stable, please provide both course code and course tile.)

A. Prerequisites

No prerequisites, yet knowledge of Calculus (MAT1001 & 1002) would be an

advantage.

B. Co-requisites

3. Learning Outcomes

 Understanding of the concepts in linear algebra

 Proficiently solving the linear system
 Proficient in basic matrix calculations, such as addition,
multiplication, inverse, determinants
 Understanding theory in linear algebra, such as linearly
independent, vector spaces, orthogonality, eigen-theory, etc.
 Ability of applying linear algebra tools to other related fields

4. Course syllabus

Linear Systems and Matrices: equivalent linear systems, equation operations,

solution set, definition of matrices, row (column) vectors, zero vectors,
augmented matrices, row operations, row equivalence
Solving Linear Systems: reduced row-echelon form, Gaussian elimination,
solution types, consistence, inconsistence, dependent variables, independent
variables, homogeneous system, trivial solutions
Matrices: square matrix, matrix operations, special matrices, partitioned
matrix, matrix transpose
Matrix Inverses: matrix inverse, nonsingular matrices, row operations and
elementary matrices, LU decomposition
Vectors: vector operations, linear combinations, linear independence, linear
dependence, span
Vector Spaces: vector spaces, spanning sets, subspaces, basis and dimension,
change of basis
Matrices and Spaces: column and row spaces, null spaces, rank of matrices
Determinants: determinants and row operations, minors and cofactors,
Laplace expansion, adjoint matrix and matrix inverse, Cramer's rule
Linear Transformations: injective, surjective, kernel, change of basis,
similarity
Orthogonality: scalar product, orthogonal subspaces, least square problems,
inner product spaces, orthonormal basis, the Gram-Schmidt process, QR
decomposition
Eigen-Theory: eigenvalues, eigenvectors, trace of matrices, characteristic
polynomial, system of linear differential equations, diagonalization, spectral
theorem
Quadratic form and Singular Value Decomposition (if time permits): quadratic
forms, positive definite matrices, LDU decomposition, cholesky
decomposition, singular value decomposition, best low rank approximation

5. Assessment Scheme

Component/ method % weight

Assignments 20
Mid-Term Exam 20
Final Exam 60

6. Feedback for evaluation

Grade Expected performance

A  Excellent understanding with the concepts in linear algebra
 Excellent solving the linear system
 Excellent in basic matrix calculations, such as addition, multiplication,
inverse, determinants
 Excellent understanding in the major theory, such as vector spaces,
linear transform, orthogonality, eigen-theory etc.
B  Good understanding the concepts in linear algebra
 Excellent solving the linear system
 Excellent in basic matrix calculations, such as addition, multiplication,
inverse, determinants
 Good understanding in the major theory,such as vector spaces, linear
transform, orthogonality, eigen-theory etc.
C  Understanding most of the concepts in linear algebra
 Familiarity solving the linear system
 Familiarity with basic matrix calculations, such as addition,
multiplication, inverse, determinants
  Basic understanding in the major theory, such as vector spaces, linear
transform, orthogonality, eigen-theory etc.
D  Understanding basic concepts in linear algebra
 Ability of solving linear system
 Ability of doing basic matrix calculations
F  Limited understanding with the basic concepts in linear algebra
 Limited ability for solving linear system
 Non-ability in doing basic matrix calculations

 Communicate with instructor and/or TAs by chatting, wechat, emails etc.

 Evaluate student performance through quizzes, mid-term and final exams
 Collect student feedback from CTE by the end of the course
 Collect opinions from peers by internal and external course reviews

7. Reading

A. Textbooks

 Steven J. Leon, “Linear Algebra with Applications”, 9th Edition.

 Linear Alegbra MathNoteBook, by Prof. Tom Luo and Prof. Ruoyu Sun

B. Recommended
 A First Course in Linear Algebra: http://linear.ups.edu/ by Robert A. Beezer,
version 3.5

8. Course components

Activity Hours/week
Lecture 3
Tutorial 1

9. Indicative teaching plan

Week Content/ topic/ activity

1 Linear Systems and Matrices: equivalent linear systems, equation
operations, solution set, definition of matrices, row (column) vectors, zero
vectors, augmented matrices, row operations, row equivalence
2 Solving Linear Systems: reduced row-echelon form, Gaussian elimination,
solution types, consistence, inconsistence, dependent variables,
independent variables, homogeneous system, trivial solutions
3 Matrices: square matrix, matrix operations, special matrices, partitioned
matrix, matrix transpose
4 Matrix Inverses: matrix inverse, nonsingular matrices, row operations and
elementary matrices, LU decomposition
5 Vectors: vector operations, linear combinations, linear independence,
linear dependence, span
6 Vector Spaces: vector spaces, spanning sets, subspace, basis and
dimension
7 Matrices and Spaces: column and row spaces, null spaces, rank of matrix
8 Determinants I: minors and cofactors, Laplace expansion Mid-Term Exam
9 Determinants II: properties, adjoint matrix and matrix inverse, Cramer's
rule
Linear Transformations: definition, properties, injective, surjective, kernel
10 Linear Transformations (cont’d): matrix representation, change of basis,
similarity
Orthogonality I: scalar product, orthogonality, orthogonal subspaces
11 Orthogonality I (cont’d): least square problems, inner product spaces
12 Orthogonality II: orthonormal basis, the Gram-Schmidt process, QR
decomposition
13 Eigen-Theory: eigenvalues, eigenvectors, characteristic polynomial,
system of linear differential equations, diagonalization, spectral theorem
14 Quadratic form and singular value decomposition (if time permits): quadratic
forms, positive definite matrices, LDU decomposition, cholesky
decomposition, singular value decomposition, best low rank
approximation
Final review

10. Implementation plan (2017–2018)

The implementation plan may vary from year to year. Please indicate expected
enrolment, and number of sections.

[Example: 400 students for lecture (x 4); 40 students for tutorials (x 10)]

 Lectures: 400 enrollments in 4 parallel sections

 Tutorials: 400 enrolments in 10 subdivided classes from the four lecture sections

11. Approval

Has the course title been included in the programme submission approved by CUHK
Senate? Are there any differences?

Yes. Our course will cover all topics in MATH1030 and most of the topics in
MATH2040.

Have the details (as in this document) been approved at School or other level in CUHK
(SZ)?
No.

12. Any other information

13. Version date

Version number V003

As of (date) 26/12/2017

Please save file as MAT2040 v-003 261217

XXXXxxxx = course code, e.g., MATH1212

nn = version number, e.g., 001 for version 1
yymmdd = date of this version, e.g., 131210