Even though you have a paper copy of this, you should read it on the web to see where the links go. There are two main goals of this course. The first, and most obvious, is to learn some linear algebra. The second, no less important, is to gain some facility in reading and writing proofs. Our text was chosen because the author spends some time discussing proofs.
Linear algebra is both theoretical and applied mathematics.
Some understanding of the theory is necessary to do applications, and the applications extend and enrich the theory. Linear algebra has applications in the physical and social sciences, as well as other branches of mathematics. If you continue in mathematics, linear algebra will be used immediately in differential equations and multivariable calculus, Math 224 and 225. Its uses in other disciplines will be obvious to physics majors, and evident, if less obvious, to chemistry, biology, economics, and psychology majors. Some knowledge of linear algebra has become an essential prerequisite for graduate work and research in these and other fields.