QMSS Guidelines for Completing the Linear Algebra Requirement

There are three ways to fulfill the linear algebra requirement for QMSS.

1. Complete a one-semester (or one quarter) course in Linear Algebra (at the undergraduate or graduate level) as part of your training prior to coming to UCSB. (Please supply a copy of your transcript and a course description/syllabus.)
2. Complete Math 4A at UCSB (This is an undergraduate course in which you can enroll on a pass/fail basis.)
3. Provide evidence that you have learned the following core set of linear algebra topics in one or more statistics courses at UCSB:
   1. (Basic matrix operations (addition, multiplication, scalar multiplication, matrix transpose, and so on)
   2. Determinants
   3. Inverse of a matrix
   4. Rank, linear independence, basis, span
   5. Linear equations, consistency
   6. Eigenvectors, eigenvalues

   The QMSS Coordinating Committee has pre-approved four course combinations that satisfy this requirement. They are:

   • Psych 221B (Design & Measurement) + Psych 221E (Statistical Analysis of fMRI data)
   • Psych 221B (Design & Measurement) + Educ 216A (Advanced Multivariate Statistics)
   • Psych 221B (Design & Measurement) + Educ 216B (Factor Analysis)
   • Psych 221B (Design & Measurement) + Educ 216F (Structural Equation Models)
   These courses can be used to satisfy both the linear algebra requirement and other QMSS core course requirements (please see the QMSS application).

   These four combinations have been preapproved because they cover the core linear algebra topics listed above. However, other course combinations may also satisfy the linear algebra learning requirement. Students wishing to satisfy the linear algebra requirement through a different combination of courses may petition to do so by submitting a proposal to the QMSS coordinating committee.

If you have any questions about the linear algebra requirement, please feel free to contact the QMSS Committee Chair.

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