Instructor Insights
In the following video, Professor Gilbert Strang describes various aspects of how he teaches 18.06 Linear Algebra.
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
Mathematics GIR 
Requirements Satisfied
18.06 fulfills the linear algebra requirement for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
Offered
Every semester
The Classroom
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Room 1 of 1 
Lecture
Classes met in a lecture hall like this one, with tiers of tablet chairs for 294, sliding chalkboards, and A/V equipment.
Assessment
The students’ grades were based on the following activities:
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15% Problem sets
45% Three one-hour exams
40% Final exam
Student Information
Breakdown by Year
Mostly undergraduates
Breakdown by Major
Many computer science & engineering and management majors
How Student Time Was Spent
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:
Lecture
var pieData = [ { value: 25, color: “#931101” }, { value: 75, color: “#eee” } ]; var myPie = new Chart(document.getElementById(“canvas1”).getContext(“2d”)).Pie(pieData); 3 hours per week
Typically meets 3 times per week for 1 hour per session; 38 sessions total; mandatory attendance.
Recitation
var pieData = [ { value: 25, color: “#eee” }, { value: 8, color: “#931101” }, { value: 67, color: “#eee” } ]; var myPie = new Chart(document.getElementById(“canvas2”).getContext(“2d”)).Pie(pieData); 1 hours per week
Typically meets 1 time per week for 1 hour each session.
Out of Class
var pieData = [ { value: 33, color: “#eee” }, { value: 67, color: “#931101” } ]; var myPie = new Chart(document.getElementById(“canvas3”).getContext(“2d”)).Pie(pieData); 8 hours per week
Completing problem sets; studying for exams.
Semester Breakdown
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No classes throughout MIT
Recitation
Problem set due
No class session scheduled
Lecture session
Exam
Course Team Roles
Lead Instructor (Professor Strang)
Professor Strang prepared and delivered lectures; prepared problem sets.
Teaching Assistants
Five teaching assistants conducted recitation sessions; held office hours and fielded student questions by email.