MATH 2310 Applied Linear Algebra

Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course

Common Course ID: [Course name/number]
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait

Abstract: This open textbook is being utilized in a math course for undergraduate  by Min-Lin Lo at CSU San Bernardino. The open textbook provides needed coverage and practice questions that are suitable for this course. The main motivation to adopt an open textbook was to save students money on textbook expense. Most student access the open textbook with a link provided on the course syllabus as well as on Canvas course site.

MATH 2310 Applied Linear Algebra 
Brief Description of course highlights:  Introduction to the algebra and geometry of vectors and matrices over the real numbers with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and applications. Topics will include solving systems of linear equations, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, vector products, orthogonal projections, and vector parametrizations of curves in two and three dimensions. Applications of these topics may include computer graphics, electrical networks, difference equations, dynamical systems, and economics. Students should expect to make appropriate use of technology for visualization and computation. Semester Prerequisite: MATH 2210 with a grade of C- or better; and MATH 2220 as a pre- or co-requisite. Quarter Prerequisite: MATH 212 with a grade of C- or better
Student population:  STEM majors that have passed at least the first semester of Calculus series, mainly are from math and computer science/engineering major.
Learning or student outcomes:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to meet the expectation of (and will be assessed on) several of the CSUSB Math Department’s SLOs:
1.1 Students will demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts, algorithms, operations, and relations
1.2 Students will make connections between mathematical ideas verbally, numerically, analytically, visually, and graphically
2.1 Students will correctly apply mathematical theorems, properties and definitions
2.2 Students will calculate efficiently, flexibly, and with appropriate accuracy
3.1 Students will justify solutions using a variety of strategies and representations
3.2 Students will be able to evaluate reasonableness of proposed results using estimation and context
3.3 Students will be able to critique mathematical reasoning, both correct and flawed
4.1 Students will demonstrate mathematical communication skills using appropriate mathematical vocabulary and references
5.1 Students will understand valid mathematical proofs
5.2 Students will produce valid mathematical proofs

Syllabus and/or Sample assignment from the course or the adoption  Syllabus. Homework is assigned from the reference books and students are encouraged to read the corresponding section content. 

No textbook is required.  Reference books are provided and homework assigned from those books.    
Linear Algebra with Applications by W. Keith Nicholson
Linear Algebra and Applications: An Inquiry Based Approach by Feryal Alayont and Steven Schlicker. Grand Valley State University.
Brief Description:
1.  Linear Algebra and Applications: An Inquiry-Based Approach provides a novel inquiry-based learning approach to linear algebra, as well as incorporating aspects of an inverted classroom.
2. The aim of the textbook, Linear Algebra with Applications by W. Keith Nicholson, is to achieve a balance among computational skills, theory, and applications of linear algebra. It is a relatively advanced introduction to the ideas and techniques of linear algebra targeted for science and engineering students who need to understand not only how to use these methods but also gain insight into why they work.
Student access:  Links provided on the course syllabus and Canvas course site
Supplemental resources: Partial Student Solution Manual for the reference textbook Linear Algebra with Applications by W. Keith Nicholson
Cost Savings:  $74.99/student
License:   The e-book Linear Algebra and Applications: An Inquiry-Based Approach is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The e-book Linear Algebra with Applications is available under the Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-SA), allowing anyone to reuse, revise, remix and redistribute the text.

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process

Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option.  To save students money

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course? Consulted other faculty and browsed OER sites.

Sharing Best Practices: Besides completely switching to a new OER textbook from a traditional textbook used before that already have prepared teaching materials, can also considering still using the same teaching materials, but find OER books that cover similar topics so instructor can assign homework from the OER and students can read detail explanation from the corresponding sections in the OER book. 

Describe any challenges you experienced, and lessons learned.
Sometimes, I need to use multiple OER books to cover all topics I need to teach. Although time consuming, but it also provides students with difference perspectives on the same topic from multiple books.

Min-Lin Lo, Professor, Department of Mathematics
California State University, San Bernardino
https://sites.google.com/csusb.edu/mlo/home

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  I believe students learn better when they "do" the math, not just listen and copy from professors, therefore most of my lecture time is spent guiding students by asking questions and give them time to do problems in class before we discuss the solutions.  I teach a wide range of courses such as: Mathematical Thinking: Communication and Proof, Applied Linear Algebra, Applied Statistics, Combinatorics, and analysis.