LMATH4138 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra Course Descriptor

Course Overview

This differential equations and linear algebra course is intended for students who have developed an understanding of mathematical concepts used in single variable calculus (Calculus I & II for Science and Engineering). The course explores the following topics: linear equations and its applications, Laplace Transform and its inverses, Gaussian Elimination, Introduction to eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Differential equations and linear algebra are essential to the everyday application of mathematics and engineering. Linear Algebra plays a vital role in developing computational methods, and differential equations are grounded in modelling techniques employed in the fields of Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Computer Graphics and more. The topics in this course will help students build an all-rounded computational and modelling foundation to support their academic journey as well as their future career beyond academia. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Employability Skills

Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include:

A minimum of 36 contact hours, typically to include interactive group teaching, co-curriculars, individual meetings, in-class presentations and exams.

Course information and supplementary materials are available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Students will receive individualised developmental feedback on their work for this course.

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Students are also expected to manage their directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

Assessment

Formative

Students will be formatively assessed in class through class activities, and during office hours. Formative assessments are ones that do not count towards the final grade but will provide students with developmental feedback.

Summative Assessments

*This course uses linear marking

Further information about the assessments can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Feedback

Students will receive feedback in a variety of ways: written (including via email correspondence); oral (within office hours or on an ad hoc basis) and indirectly through class discussion.

Feedback on examinations is provided through generic internal examiners’ reports and are made available to the student on the VLE.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only. 

Books

Zill, Dennis G. 2021. Differential Equations with Boundary-Value Problems. 9th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning. ISBN 9780357539545

Lay, David C., Judi J. McDonald, and Steven R. Lay. Linear Algebra and Its Applications. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2021. ISBN 9780136880929.

Indicative Topics

Students will study the following topics:

• Differential equations and its applications
• Linear equations and its applications
• Laplace transform and its inverses
• Gaussian elimination
• Introduction to eigenvalues and eigenvectors