MATH 115A
Linear Algebra
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Requisite: course 33A. Techniques of proof, abstract vector spaces, linear transformations, and matrices; determinants; inner product spaces; eigenvector theory. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Professor Hazel is a great instructor. She makes everything super clear at the beginning of the quarter so there's no confusion about grading. Math 115A is no piece of cake. You are expected to have weekly quizzes that are graded harshly. However, if you could stick to the end, you will find yourself much more precise and logical in mathematical reasoning. It is not an easy A course for sure, but you will love this course.
Fall 2020 - Professor Hazel is a great instructor. She makes everything super clear at the beginning of the quarter so there's no confusion about grading. Math 115A is no piece of cake. You are expected to have weekly quizzes that are graded harshly. However, if you could stick to the end, you will find yourself much more precise and logical in mathematical reasoning. It is not an easy A course for sure, but you will love this course.
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2015 - Math 115A is the UCLA introductory course in proof-based mathematics. This class is a very well thought out introduction of a simple topic, with rigorous proofs of mathematical theorems. Professor Heilman is an organized and engaging teacher, as far as math professors go at UCLA. All of the lecture notes will be provided before the first day of class, so students can keep up with where lecture material is going. The homework is also posted well in advance of its due date. All lecture material is carefully explained and paced during the quarter. In office-hours, Professor Heilman is always willing to walk through class notes and homework problems. He'll even give advice outside of lecture material about further study in mathematics, such as graduate school and research opportunities. It's very clear that Professor Heilman is concerned with his student and a phenomenal teacher. I would highly recommend taking any upper division math class with him.
Spring 2015 - Math 115A is the UCLA introductory course in proof-based mathematics. This class is a very well thought out introduction of a simple topic, with rigorous proofs of mathematical theorems. Professor Heilman is an organized and engaging teacher, as far as math professors go at UCLA. All of the lecture notes will be provided before the first day of class, so students can keep up with where lecture material is going. The homework is also posted well in advance of its due date. All lecture material is carefully explained and paced during the quarter. In office-hours, Professor Heilman is always willing to walk through class notes and homework problems. He'll even give advice outside of lecture material about further study in mathematics, such as graduate school and research opportunities. It's very clear that Professor Heilman is concerned with his student and a phenomenal teacher. I would highly recommend taking any upper division math class with him.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2020 - I was originally intimidated by the harsh comments here about Prof. Hempel, but they are not true. (Which I think is partly because she’s also changed since first several quarters here?) Prof. Hempel gives engaging lectures, though we didn’t get to finish the last part due to UCLA canceling classes. But her notes are neatly arranged and provide you full guidance in the process. She is a ‘magician’ who demonstrates complicated theorems and proofs in a straightforward, clear and sometimes novel way. She’s also very helpful through the course, and you can tell she has so much passion about the subject. The homework grading policy has changed since this quarter: if you get 50% more on the homework, she will give you full credit for the homework, which accounts for 10% of the course in total. The two midterms are, to be honest, a bit hurry for majority of the people, having an average around 70%. But it’s bearable and somehow trivial if you do the homework diligently and have a clear understanding of the subject. I can’t speak of the final because it’s take home this quarter due to the corona virus situation, but it’s by no means hard given the time limit is not enforced and you have access to everything you want. Above all, this is my personal experience. If you are considering taking 115A, Prof. Hempel is a good teacher who can lead you through. But I definitely recommend auditing different lectures before you make the decision. Experiences vary for different people.
Winter 2020 - I was originally intimidated by the harsh comments here about Prof. Hempel, but they are not true. (Which I think is partly because she’s also changed since first several quarters here?) Prof. Hempel gives engaging lectures, though we didn’t get to finish the last part due to UCLA canceling classes. But her notes are neatly arranged and provide you full guidance in the process. She is a ‘magician’ who demonstrates complicated theorems and proofs in a straightforward, clear and sometimes novel way. She’s also very helpful through the course, and you can tell she has so much passion about the subject. The homework grading policy has changed since this quarter: if you get 50% more on the homework, she will give you full credit for the homework, which accounts for 10% of the course in total. The two midterms are, to be honest, a bit hurry for majority of the people, having an average around 70%. But it’s bearable and somehow trivial if you do the homework diligently and have a clear understanding of the subject. I can’t speak of the final because it’s take home this quarter due to the corona virus situation, but it’s by no means hard given the time limit is not enforced and you have access to everything you want. Above all, this is my personal experience. If you are considering taking 115A, Prof. Hempel is a good teacher who can lead you through. But I definitely recommend auditing different lectures before you make the decision. Experiences vary for different people.
Most Helpful Review
Math 115A is indeed one of the hardest undergrad math course. But, Professor Hida has been done everything very well, and all his notes are incredibly useful. His hand writing is very nice and his notes are very easy to follow. He does everything through steps. When we ask kind of "dumb" question, he never makes us embarrassed or lack of confident, instead he will patiently explain again and again. I never wrote a review on bruin walk, and ever since this professor is very impressive to me, I really appreciate all his work. He always holds extra office hour 1-2 hours before the exam starts, and therefore that is a good time to ask. Of course, we have to come with a question (and again, he never makes you feel dumb or foolish). This is one of the best Math professor at UCLA. Two thumbs up for HIDA !!!
Math 115A is indeed one of the hardest undergrad math course. But, Professor Hida has been done everything very well, and all his notes are incredibly useful. His hand writing is very nice and his notes are very easy to follow. He does everything through steps. When we ask kind of "dumb" question, he never makes us embarrassed or lack of confident, instead he will patiently explain again and again. I never wrote a review on bruin walk, and ever since this professor is very impressive to me, I really appreciate all his work. He always holds extra office hour 1-2 hours before the exam starts, and therefore that is a good time to ask. Of course, we have to come with a question (and again, he never makes you feel dumb or foolish). This is one of the best Math professor at UCLA. Two thumbs up for HIDA !!!
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