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So, people are just supposed to start their 4-year undergraduate degree in Linear Algebra? I know HNers are rare air, so to speak, but what about Calc 1-3 and Diff Eq?

This is like a 4 year plan once your first two years of university are under your belt.

So a combined CS / MS in AI?

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Linear Algebra is quite self-contained. You'd need Calculus in there to really make sense of the probability and stats, though. Not sure about the vector calculus part and diffeq's, maybe that can be cut and the whole thing might fit in 4 years.

A self-contained linear algebra course would be a lot of heavy theory for freshman. Doing multivariate calculus first just makes it easier.

I just can't see how a single self-contained Linear Algebra course could in any way prepare one for the actual data science behind AI and ML. But your point is well taken otherwise.

Edit: Reviewing Bretscher (Linear Algebra with Applications, 5th), it appears you are correct; it's not until you study the applications that you need Calculus. Most Unis I'm familiar with, however, will require multivariable (Calc 3) at least as a pre-req for Linear Algebra.

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