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

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.