<p>The school I plan on attending has both:</p>
<p>MTH 329 - Elementary Linear Algebra
Systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and applications. PR: ACT Math 27 or MTH132* or MTH229* or IST131.
3 hours</p>
<p>MTH 331 - Linear Algebra
Vector spaces, matrices and determinants, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and applications. PR: MTH300*.
4 hours.</p>
<p>MTH132 - Precalculus with science applications
MTH229 - Calculus 1
MTH300 - Intro to higher mathematics; (PR Calculus 2)</p>
<p>So which is usually taken by engineering majors? Elementary linear algebra could be taken very soon, whereas the other can't be taken until I pass calculus 1, calculus 2, and intro to higher math (which I'm taking anyway for a minor)</p>
<p>Check your major. They’re both about the same, but vanilla linear usually does a bit more MATLAB and such.</p>
<p>University doesn’t have ME listed yet. They’re increasing the size of the department and the expansion will bring ME, EE, and BioE in 2015. The ABET accredited Civil program that they currently have doesn’t require Linear algebra. Just Cal 1-3, Diff, and Applied Probability/Stats. I checked there before posting.</p>
<p>Go with the second. </p>
<p>At my school, some engineering majors only take up through matrix algebra (which has a Calc II prereq). Others (MechE included) take another class called EnMath requires DE as a prereq.</p>
<p>Here’s the course description if you’re curious on how they compare: The Laplace transform and applications; series solutions of differential equations, Bessel´s equation, Legendre´s equation, special functions; matrices, eigenvalues, and eigenfunctions; vector analysis and applications; boundary value problems and spectral representations; Fourier series and Fourier integrals; solution of partial differential equations of mathematical physics.</p>
<p>To sum it up: if your school wants matrix/linear algebra, my guess is they’re going to want something with more pre-reqs than the first class you listed. I know the descriptions seem similar, but there’s so much more you can do with the topics listed if you have a better background in calc/higher mathematics.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! I’ll plan on taking the second one then.</p>
<p>A course called “intro to higher math” is probably a course on proof techniques and practice for math majors. So it is likely that 331 that lists that as a prerequisite is a more proof-oriented course than 329.</p>
<p>You may want to ask the math department and the expanding engineering division whether 329 is like a normal linear algebra course for engineering majors, or if it is insufficient for that purpose. Or just take 331, since the more rigorous course should satisfy any requirement for the less rigorous course.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>See, that’s what I was thinking too, and since I was going to minor in math anyway (I literally only have to take Intro to Higher Math to satisfy the minor; I already had to take the others for engineering) for grad school purposes, I figured it would be best take 331. I will definitely contact the math department, and if they don’t have an answer I’ll contact the engineering department.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>They’re almost the same except the first sounds a little more watered down than the second (which isn’t bad, that’s what I took). Since it’s not currently required by your program though, you can pick either because you determine graduation requirements based on the year you were admitted, in case they change it later on and say you need Linear Algebra 5000 :P</p>