Math 310: Numerical Analysis

Fall 2004, UAF, Bueler    VERSION 11/30/04

Instructor: Ed Bueler
Office: Chapman 301C.  Office hours online.
Phone: 474-7693
eMail: ffelb@uaf.edu
Class Time:  MWF 10:30am-11:30am
         Room:  Chapman 104
Text: Leader, Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computation
Web Site: http://www.cs.uaf.edu/~bueler/

The Course:     This course will introduce you to numerical analysis and methods for the problems of applied mathematics.  In particular, we will solve calculus problems (e.g. integration), linear algebra problems, and differential equations approximately. You will be expected to understand both the theory and the practice of the topics we study. Calculus and some exposure to both vectors and differential equations, and  to programming, are assumed. We will use the mathematical programming language Matlab from the beginning, and on every assignment.  Nonetheless lectures and homework together make up the core of the class.  You are expected to ask questions in class about recent lectures or homework assignments.

The Grade:  60% of your grade will be determined by  two exams, with the remainder determined by a short project and homework:
25 %
35 %
10 %
30 %
 Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Project
Weekly Homework
 Monday, Nov. 1 (one hour in class)
Friday, Dec. 17  10:15am-12:15 (two hours)
Short paper (< 10 pages).
Mostly from text.  Substantial MATLAB use.
    The course grade will be determined by your total on the above according to the following schedule:

Percent
90 - 100 % 
79 - 89 % 
68 - 78 % 
57 - 67 % 
0 - 56 % 		 Grade
A
B
C
D
F

Prerequisite:    Math 202 Calculus III plus either Math 302 Differential Equations or Math 314 Linear Algebra is the prerequisite.  But you must be willing and able to start learning MATLAB immediately.

Policies and makeup exams:   The department has specific policies on incompletes, late withdrawals, and early final examinations; see http://www.dms.uaf.edu/dms/Policies.html .  You are covered by the UAF Honor Code.  I will create makeup versions of exams provided I have a convincing reason to do so at least two class days before the exam.  The makeup must occur no later than two class days after the exam date.  I will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to student with disabilities.

MATLAB:  The true programming content of this class is small. An elementary knowledge of looping and array syntax will be what is required.  However, for both the project and homework you will be expected to turn numerical algorithms into functioning programs.  You will use Matlab unless you make a strong argument to me that you can do what is needed in some other language.  Matlab is available in a student version ($99 direct from Mathworks at www.mathworks.com/products/studentversion ) and free in the Chapman 103 lab and other locations on campus. Matlab has an interpreted environment with straightforward plotting and data viewing commands, but it really excels at making vector and matrix operations very easy.  Matlab tutorial:   I don’t assume that you are familiar with Matlab already. It is easy to learn, even if you have no exposure to serious programming. For the first few weeks of the course I will offer a tutorial in class to help you get started. It will be in the Chapman 103 lab.  See www.math.uaf.edu/~bueler/MatlabEx.htm for a brief online tutorial.