20430 Linear Algebra for Natural Science Students 1

Credits: 4 intermediate credits in Mathematics

Prerequisites: none

Recommended: Students are advised to take at least one Open University course in Natural Sciences or in Mathematics before enrolling in this course

The first five units of Linear Algebra I (20109) were combined with three new units by Naomi Shaked-Monderer, to create this course. Its objective is to familiarize students of Natural Sciences with basic linear algebra required for several Physics and Chemistry courses. Students should not confuse this course with Linear Algebra I (20109). Both courses cover similar topics, but the scope of the latter is wider, as required for Mathematics and Computer Science students.

Topics: Preparatory review; Linear equations; Rⁿ; Matrices; Determinants; Vector spaces; Linear transformations (eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization); The Euclidian n-space; orthogonal transformations and matrices; Appendix: Complex numbers.

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1There is some overlap in the content of this and other courses. For details, see Overlapping Courses.