Syllabus

Instructor: Clayton Price

Office: 325F Computer Science

Phone: 573-341-4491

E-mail: price@mst.edu

Text: Numerical Methods using Matlab, John Matthews and Kurtis Fink, 4th edition

Home page: http://www.mst.edu/~price

As everyone is aware, we are in the midst of a pandemic. Classes are not running as "normal". This class likewise. We will begin the semester in-person. But IF circumstances require it, we will move all instruction to on-line presentation. You will have ample notification. You will need:

• a computer to use outside of class (presumably at home) that will accommodate the use of Zoom.

Please don't ask me to help with your hardware issues as I do NOT work in IT.

For this course/class, I will be using technology in the classroom that will allow me to record via zoom the audio and lecture notes. You will be sent the link for the recording of these lectures after the class session, and the zoom link is posted in Canvas under "announcements" so that you can join via zoom the class as it is in session. So you don't absolutely have to be in class. It would be nice if you all at least come to the first day. But after that, if you have reason not to attend in person, you can simply view the recordings of the class presentation or "attend" via zoom at class time. ITMS has installed really cool equipment that will make this possible. I personally don't do well with tech gaggitry, but I'll eventually get used to it.

The following is the syllabus for this course under normal circumstances. Spring '21 will not be normal. I have modified it for the times.

• 1. Attendance in class is mandatory. You will be responsible for all the material presented in class and otherwise designated (such as reading material). Come to class on time and be prepared. If you miss class for some reason, it is your responsibility to find out what you’ve missed; it is not my responsibility. If you miss more than 3 classes, I will drop you from the class. If you wish to drop the class, don’t assume that I will do it automatically when you stop coming to class. Be responsible for your actions and/or inaction.

  2. As I see it now, we will cover most of the book. Additional material may be covered. And, we may not cover all that is here below. Time will tell. You can begin to prepare by reading chapter 1.

  3. Rough Time-Line

     1. • chptr 1: A review of calculus, binary numbers and error analysis

        • chptr 2: Root finding techniques - solving f(x) = 0. Iterative, bracketing, and open techniques

        • chptr 3: Solving systems of equations

        • chptr 4: Interpolation/approximation techniques

        • chptr 5: Curve fitting and regression

        • chptr 6: Numerical differentiation

        • chptr 7: Numerical integration

        • chptr 9: Solving differential equations

        • chptr 8: Optimization (optional

  4. Additional material not in the text may be presented.

  5. Your grade in this class will be determined by your performance on tests and assigned homework. Tests will be announced at least one week in advance. There will be 3 tests. Tests may not be made up unless you have an acceptable excuse. Acceptable excuses include such circumstances as ‘acts of God’ (e.g. being invaded by a virulent virus, death in the family, being hit by a large truck on the way to class, etc) and exclude such non-excuses as a faulty alarm clock, drinking binges, having a grand piano fall on you from a 5th floor window (this never really happens -- only in the cartoons),etc. Do not bother to ask me if you may take a test early because I won't let you -- no matter what the reason. Dates that classes are in session are well published; don't ask me if you can miss a class or test because you want to leave for a vacation early; only I have that luxury.

  6. Your final grade will be based on a straight scale (90% - 100% A; 80% - 89% B; etc.). I will use canvas only for posting grades, a link to the syllabus (what you are reading), and a link under announcements for the zoom lectures real-time. I will send links of the recordings after class to you.

  7. If you score below 60% on any test you need to come to see me. Don’t ignore this warning.

  8. Don’t cheat! Don’t even think about it. If you cheat, you will probably be caught and the penalty is severe. I expect you to do your own work. This means that you should not work with another student on your submitted homework; I want to see your work. Do not work with others and turn in duplicates; don’t try to fool me. You are free to ask questions of others and learn from your friends, but not to copy ideas and/or solutions. Do not let others copy from you.

  9. This course is mostly about mathematics. Math is hard. You cannot learn math well by observation; you truly need to practice the necessary skills. So, do your homework; all of it, not just the problems that are to be graded. Remember that you are going to be judged on your ability to demonstrate on tests what you've learned and how well you've learned it. Practice will enhance your chances for good grades.

  10. Be sure to seek my help if you need it. I will be glad to help if I can; you only have to ask. My office hours are as stated above. However, I am in the office other times and am happy to see you any time I can. Call for an appointment or ask me after class for an appointment.

  11. You are expected to turn off all pagers, phones, beepers, ovens, chainsaws, and other home appliances and yard tools when in class.

  12. I will do my best to address any concerns you have about the class. You simply need to ask me. My immediate supervisor is the chairman of the CS dept. If there are any problems that I am unable to resolve for you relevant to this class, address your concerns to him/her. His/her office is 325C in the CS bldg.

  13. Note: If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, you are strongly encouraged to meet with me early in the semester. You will need to request that the Disability Services staff send a letter to me verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need before I can arrange your accommodation.

  14. If you abide by the foregoing rules laid out in this document, you are much more likely, though not guaranteed, to do well in this course. You must also put forth a significant and concerted effort to complete all graded material, learn the concepts presented in the course, and earn grades on assignments and tests commensurate with "good grade" expectations. Though this is an introductory course, it should not be treated lightly.