MT2501 Linear Mathematics
Academic year
2025 to 2026 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
15
SCQF level
SCQF level 8
Planned timetable
12.00 noon Mon (weeks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10), Wed and Fri [Semester 1]; 11.00 am Mon (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11), Tue and Thu [Semester 2]
Module Staff
S1: Prof James Mitchell; Dr Finn Smith S2: Dr Alex Russell
Module description
This module extends the knowledge and skills that students have gained concerning matrices and systems of linear equations. It introduces the basic theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformations and diagonalization. These concepts are used throughout the mathematical sciences and physics. It is recommended that students in the Faculties of Arts and Divinity take an even number of the 15-credit 2000-level MT modules.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MT1002,IF MT1002 HAS NOT BEEN PASSED THEN A AT ADVANCED HIGHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT A-LEVEL FURTHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT BOTH A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS AND A-LEVEL PHYSICS.
Assessment pattern
2-hour Written Examination = 70%, Coursework (including class test 15%) = 30%
Re-assessment
2-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
2.5-hours lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x 5 weeks), 1 examples class (x 5 weeks)
Scheduled learning hours
35
Guided independent study hours
115
Intended learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematical concepts in each of the module core topics (systems of linear equations, matrix theory, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigen-theory, and diagonalisation)
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic skills and techniques in dealing with concrete examples in each of the above core topics
- Demonstrate an ability to provide theoretical explanations for general facts about each of the core topics
- Apply all of the above competencies to solve a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar problems in the core topics
Additional information from school
For guidance on module choice at 2000-level in Mathematics and Statistics please consult the School Handbook, at /mathematics-statistics/students/ug/module-choices-2000/
MT2501 Linear Mathematics
Academic year
2025 to 2026 Semester 2
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
15
SCQF level
SCQF level 8
Planned timetable
12.00 noon Mon (weeks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10), Wed and Fri [Semester 1]; 11.00 am Mon (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11), Tue and Thu [Semester 2]
Module Staff
S1: Prof James Mitchell; Dr Finn Smith S2: Dr Alex Russell
Module description
This module extends the knowledge and skills that students have gained concerning matrices and systems of linear equations. It introduces the basic theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformations and diagonalization. These concepts are used throughout the mathematical sciences and physics. It is recommended that students in the Faculties of Arts and Divinity take an even number of the 15-credit 2000-level MT modules.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MT1002,IF MT1002 HAS NOT BEEN PASSED THEN A AT ADVANCED HIGHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT A-LEVEL FURTHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT BOTH A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS AND A-LEVEL PHYSICS.
Assessment pattern
2-hour Written Examination = 70%, Coursework (including class test 15%) = 30%
Re-assessment
2-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
2.5-hours lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x 5 weeks), 1 examples class (x 5 weeks)
Scheduled learning hours
35
Guided independent study hours
115
Intended learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematical concepts in each of the module core topics (systems of linear equations, matrix theory, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigen-theory, and diagonalisation)
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic skills and techniques in dealing with concrete examples in each of the above core topics
- Demonstrate an ability to provide theoretical explanations for general facts about each of the core topics
- Apply all of the above competencies to solve a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar problems in the core topics
Additional information from school
For guidance on module choice at 2000-level in Mathematics and Statistics please consult the School Handbook, at /mathematics-statistics/students/ug/module-choices-2000/
MT2501 Linear Mathematics
Academic year
2026 to 2027 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
15
SCQF level
SCQF level 8
Planned timetable
12.00 noon Mon (weeks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10), Wed and Fri [Semester 1]; 11.00 am Mon (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11), Tue and Thu [Semester 2]
Module Staff
S1: TBD S2: TBD
Module description
This module extends the knowledge and skills that students have gained concerning matrices and systems of linear equations. It introduces the basic theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformations and diagonalization. These concepts are used throughout the mathematical sciences and physics. It is recommended that students in the Faculties of Arts and Divinity take an even number of the 15-credit 2000-level MT modules.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MT1002,IF MT1002 HAS NOT BEEN PASSED THEN A AT ADVANCED HIGHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT A-LEVEL FURTHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT BOTH A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS AND A-LEVEL PHYSICS.
Assessment pattern
2-hour Written Examination = 70%, Coursework (including class test 15%) = 30%
Re-assessment
2-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
2.5-hours lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x 5 weeks), 1 examples class (x 5 weeks)
Scheduled learning hours
35
Guided independent study hours
115
Intended learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematical concepts in each of the module core topics (systems of linear equations, matrix theory, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigen-theory, and diagonalisation)
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic skills and techniques in dealing with concrete examples in each of the above core topics
- Demonstrate an ability to provide theoretical explanations for general facts about each of the core topics
- Apply all of the above competencies to solve a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar problems in the core topics
Additional information from school
For guidance on module choice at 2000-level in Mathematics and Statistics see our Module choices at 1000 and 2000 level page.
Syllabus
- Matrices and determinants: basic revision of matrices & relevant fields (especially complex numbers); revision of e.r.o.’s; system of linear equations; determinants and their basic properties; matrix inverses; solutions of systems of linear equations.
- Vector spaces: Definition of vector spaces; examples of vector spaces (with emphasis on geometrical intuition); basic properties of vector spaces; subspaces.
- Linear independence and bases: spanning sets; linear independence, bases, dimension.
- Linear transformations: definition of linear transformation and examples (including trace), the matrix of a linear transformation; rank and nullity (including proof of Rank-Nullity Theorem); the rank of a matrix and reduced echelon form; rank and the matrix of a linear transformation.
- Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and diagonalization: eigenvalues and eigenvectors; change of basis; powers of matrices, symmetric matrices and quadratic forms.
MT2501 Linear Mathematics
Academic year
2026 to 2027 Semester 2
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
15
SCQF level
SCQF level 8
Planned timetable
12.00 noon Mon (weeks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10), Wed and Fri [Semester 1]; 11.00 am Mon (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 11), Tue and Thu [Semester 2]
Module Staff
S1: TBD S2: TBD
Module description
This module extends the knowledge and skills that students have gained concerning matrices and systems of linear equations. It introduces the basic theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformations and diagonalization. These concepts are used throughout the mathematical sciences and physics. It is recommended that students in the Faculties of Arts and Divinity take an even number of the 15-credit 2000-level MT modules.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MT1002,IF MT1002 HAS NOT BEEN PASSED THEN A AT ADVANCED HIGHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT A-LEVEL FURTHER MATHEMATICS, OR A AT BOTH A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS AND A-LEVEL PHYSICS.
Assessment pattern
2-hour Written Examination = 70%, Coursework (including class test 15%) = 30%
Re-assessment
2-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
2.5-hours lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 tutorial (x 5 weeks), 1 examples class (x 5 weeks)
Scheduled learning hours
35
Guided independent study hours
115
Intended learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematical concepts in each of the module core topics (systems of linear equations, matrix theory, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigen-theory, and diagonalisation)
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic skills and techniques in dealing with concrete examples in each of the above core topics
- Demonstrate an ability to provide theoretical explanations for general facts about each of the core topics
- Apply all of the above competencies to solve a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar problems in the core topics
Additional information from school
For guidance on module choice at 2000-level in Mathematics and Statistics see our Module choices at 1000 and 2000 level page.
Syllabus
- Matrices and determinants: basic revision of matrices & relevant fields (especially complex numbers); revision of e.r.o.’s; system of linear equations; determinants and their basic properties; matrix inverses; solutions of systems of linear equations.
- Vector spaces: Definition of vector spaces; examples of vector spaces (with emphasis on geometrical intuition); basic properties of vector spaces; subspaces.
- Linear independence and bases: spanning sets; linear independence, bases, dimension.
- Linear transformations: definition of linear transformation and examples (including trace), the matrix of a linear transformation; rank and nullity (including proof of Rank-Nullity Theorem); the rank of a matrix and reduced echelon form; rank and the matrix of a linear transformation.
- Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and diagonalization: eigenvalues and eigenvectors; change of basis; powers of matrices, symmetric matrices and quadratic forms.