MATHS 120 : Algebra

Science

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A foundation for further mathematics courses, essential for students intending to major in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or who want a strong mathematical component to their degree. Develops skills and knowledge in linear algebra, together with an introduction to mathematical language and reasoning, including complex numbers, induction and combinatorics. Recommended preparation: Merit or excellence in the Differentiation Standard 91578 at NCEA Level 3. Prerequisite: MATHS 208, or B- or higher in MATHS 108, or A- or higher in MATHS 110, or A+ in MATHS 102, or at least 18 credits in Mathematics at NCEA Level 3 including at least 9 credits at merit or excellence, or B in CIE A2 Mathematics, or 5 out of 7 in IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL)

Course Overview

MATHS 120 (Algebra), alongside MATHS 130 and MATHS 162, forms a foundation for further study in mathematics at the University of Auckland. It is essential for students intending to major in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or for anyone who wants a strong mathematical component to their degree. MATHS 120 is a corequisite for MATHS 162 and a prerequisite for MATHS 250, MATHS 270 and COMPSCI 225.

MATHS 120 is an introduction to linear algebra. Along with MATHS 130, it is an introduction to mathematical thinking and problem-solving. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to understand and write logical mathematical arguments, and will be comfortable reading and using mathematical language and notation. In particular, they will be confident with algebra involving complex numbers, able to solve systems of linear equations of several variables, capable of a wide variety of vector and matrix operations and will understand these operations from both an algebraic and geometric perspective.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Perform various computational and qualitative tasks on the topics covered in the syllabus (i.e., logic and linear algebra). (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  2. Write, analyze and solve equations, using both algebraic and geometric skills. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  3. Create logical and mathematical arguments, using appropriate language, levels of detail and structure. (Capability 3, 4, 6 and 8)
  4. Critically analyse logical arguments, and use fundamental techniques in solving problems. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 8)
  5. Recognize the interplay between algebra and geometry. (Capability 4)
  6. Communicate mathematically with others, with specific attention to learning how to communicate mathematically with one's peers in team settings. (Capability 3, 6 and 7)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 20% Individual Coursework
Tests 30% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Coursework
Tests
Final Exam

As well as requiring an overall mark of at least 50%, a mark of at least 35% in the exam is required to pass the course.

Key Topics

  • Introduction to logic: propositions; logical connectives; converse and contrapositive statements.
  • Proofs: direct proof; proof by contraposition; proof by contradiction; proof by double implication.
  • Sets: naïve set theory; cardinality; basic set operations; power sets.
  • Functions: injective, surjective and bijective functions; function composition; inverses.
  • Mathematical induction.
  • Numbers: rational, real, and complex numbers.
  • Systems of linear equations: row echelon form and reduced row echelon form; Gaussian elimination; matrix representation of linear systems.
  • Vector spaces: column vectors; abstract vector spaces; linear subspaces; linear combinations, linear independence, and bases.
  • Geometry: lines and planes; Euclidean geometry.
  • Linear functions: linear extension of a function defined on a basis; matrices with respect to the standard basis.
  • Matrices: addition, scaling, and multiplication of matrices; the linear function determined by a matrix; matrix transpose.
  • Inverses in linear algebra: null space of a linear function or matrix; injective, surjective, and bijective linear functions; inverses of linear functions and matrices.
  • Determinants: basic properties; cofactor expansion.

Special Requirements

The mid-semester test will run in the evening outside of normal hours.

Tuākana

Whanaungatanga and manaakitanga are fundamental principles of our Tuākana Mathematics programme which provides support for Māori and Pasifika students who are taking mathematics courses. The Tuākana Maths programme consists of workshops and drop-in times, and provides a space where Māori and Pasifika students are able to work alongside our Tuākana tutors and other Māori and Pasifika students who are studying mathematics.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. For each week of this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1-hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is expected at scheduled activities for all components of the course. 
  • Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including tutorials, will not be available as recordings. 
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

An electronic version of the course book will be provided for free. A printed version will also be available for a small fee.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Student feedback is considered on an on-going basis throughout the year.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 04/11/2024 09:30 a.m.