Linear Algebra and Probability (Spring 2020)
Official course description:
Course info
Programme
Staff
Course semester
Exam
Abstract
This is a course in mathematics covering linear algebra and basic probability theory. This course is the first course of the Algorithms and Machine Learning specialisations.Description
These topics covered by this course are important in various branches of computer science, in particular in algorithms and machine learning.
Successful students will acquire skills in Linear Algebra and Probability Theory.
The topics covered in the linear algebra part of the
course include systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector
spaces, bases, dimension, and eigenvectors. The topics covered in the
probability theory part include conditional probability, discrete and
continuous random variables, as well as the limit theorems. A number of
applications of the material will be covered in the course, including least
squares analysis and Google’s PageRank algorithm.
Formal prerequisites
The course assumes that the students have taken the course Foundation of Computing: Discrete Mathematics from the BSc in Software Development or similar.Intended learning outcomes
After the course, the student should be able to:
- Solve systems of linear equations
- Define the basic concepts of linear algebra and probability, e.g., eigenvalues for a matrix or variance of a discrete random variable
- Compute the essential constructions of linear algebra, such as the inverse of a given matrix or the eigenvectors of a given matrix. Compute probabilities, expected values, variances and other concepts from probability theory.
- Apply the tools of linear algebra and probability to solve small mathematical problems.
- Model simple probabilistic problems using the distributions covered in the course.
Learning activities
Lectures and exercises.
At the exercise sessions the students will solve and present solutions to mathematical problems. The mandatory assignments are of the form of mathematical problems, but can also involve some programming. The solutions must be submitted in written form.
23/4-20: due to COVID19 situation, the exam form changes from A33 (4 hours) to C22 (4 hours 15 minutes) + fraud control.
Mandatory activities
There are 6 mandatory assignments, out of which 5 must be approved for the student to qualify for the exam. The deadlines are evenly distributed over the semester (approximately one every 2 weeks), exact dates will be posted on learnit the first week of the semester. If a mandatory assignment is not approved the first time, the student will be allowed to resubmit approximately one week after the first deadline.The student will receive the grade NA (not approved) at the ordinary exam, if the mandatory activities are not approved and the student will use an exam attempt.
Course literature
Ron Larson: Elementary Linear Algebra, 8th ed, metric version
Dimitri Bertsekas and John Tsitsiklis: Introduction to Probability, 2nd ed.
Student Activity Budget
Estimated distribution of learning activities for the typical student- Preparation for lectures and exercises: 40%
- Lectures: 20%
- Exercises: 20%
- Assignments: 20%
Ordinary exam
Exam type:C: Submission of written work, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
C22: Submission of written work – Take home
The exam is a 4 hours and 15 minutes hour take-home exam followed by random fraud control.
Aids:
All books and notes (including own notes) in printed form or electronically on laptops, ebooks or other devices are allowed.
Students should submit their solutions in Handwriting (because it’s mathematics).
The students hand in the solutions by taking pictures with a cellphone or computer, and submit these digitally.
1 day