Van de Geijn to launch MOOC on linear algebra

In its first week of registration, more than 2,500 students registered for ICES Professor Robert van de Geijn’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on linear algebra.

Linear Algebra – Foundations to Frontiers (LAFF) is being developed by van de Geijn, professor of computer science, Maggie Myers, lecturer in computer science, and a team of students from The University of Texas at Austin. The course will be launched January 15, 2014 by edX, UT’s non-profit partner who manages MOOCs. The course is free and offers a certificate of completion.

“Linear algebra is fundamental to computational science,” says van de Geijn. “Applications are typically translated into mathematical equations that invariably involve linear equations. These linear equations are then solved with the fastest computers in the world. Millions of lines of code have been written to solve A x = b and related equations for various applications.”

While the course teaches the topics covered by a typical introductory undergraduate linear algebra course, it leverages the connection between abstractions encountered in the theory of linear algebra and the abstractions used to code linear algebra software.

It is expected to draw a broad audience including high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, as well as professionals seeking to further their understanding of the subject. Those considering a graduate career in computational science engineering, are particularly motivated to know the material

Van de Geijn and Myers are considered to be among the most distinguished researchers in the field of linear algebra libraries. They were recently selected as part of a team to receive a National Science Foundation “Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (SI2)” grant to revamp the dense linear algebra software stack.