Computer Science, Mathematics 355/655: Introduction to Numerical Methods - Fall 2008

CSC or Math 355/655: "Introduction to Numerical Methods with MATLAB" - Fall 2008

Staff

Bob Plemmons, Reynolds Professor
Office: 341 Manchester
plemmons@wfu.edu
Office phone: 758-5358, Home phone: 723-3957

Lectures

The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:45am in Manchester 124.

About the Course

Matlab is the most suitable system for this course. It is a command language that is easy to program. It is the most widely used high level computing system in science and engineering. Class topics include:

An introduction to Matlab, including graphics and coding by function files
Linear Equations and Eigensystems
Solution of Non-Linear Equations
Numerical Differentiation and Integration
Solution of Differential Equations
Fitting Functions to Data

Prerequisites

Introductory knowledge of computing at the level of csc 101 (CSC or 111 is "not" required), Calculus equivalent to Math 112 and Linear Algebra equivalent to Math 121, or 302.

Course Materials

Text: Numerical Computing with Matlab, by Cleve B. Moler, SIAM Press, 2004. Chapters of the text can also be downloaded from: Cleve Moler's page at the Mathworks Company.

Matlab: On-line help and users guide available from: Mathworks Company and from Matlab help files in the WFU Matlab installlation you will access from your computer.

Problem Sets, Exams & Grading

There will be 3 problem sets (computer projects in Matlab, one of which will be presented in class), a midterm (written), and a final exam. Course grades will be determined using the following weighting: Problem Sets - 10% each, Midterm - 30%, and Final Exam - 40%. Note that the University requires that courses involving both graduate and undergraduate students have some way to differentiate between the two. In this course that will be accomplished by having the graduate students provide a more detailed classroom presentation.

If you have a disability that may require an accommodation for taking this course, then please contact the Learning Assistance Center (758-5929) within the first two weeks of the semester.