ERTH/OCN 312: Advanced Mathematics for Scientists & Engineers

Instructor: Garrett Apuzen-Ito (gito@hawaii.edu)

Office hrs: Tue. 10:30-11:30 & 1:30-2:30 POST 819D

TA:  Samuel Hixon (samuelwh@hawaii.edu)

Office hrs: Wed. 1:30-2:30 POST 733 & Thur. 3:30-4:30 POST 702

Classes: MWF, 9:30-10:20 POST 733 

BY TAKING ERTH/OCN312 YOU WILL

•Gain confidence and skills in solving problems in calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra

•Develop familiarity with using computer programs (e.g., MATLAB) for solving simple problems, visualization, and applying basic numerical methods

•Gain the mathematical background needed to solve problems in more advanced coursework leading to further study and/or careers in Earth Sciences, Ocean Sciences, Biology, and Engineering

•Improve abilities in learning independently, solving problems creatively, and communicating math clearly and accurately

COURSEWORK OVERVIEW: Course material will be learned by a combination of reading assignments, video lectures, in-class discussions, weekly problem sets, and studying for three exams.  This is a “flipped” class, so lectures are to be viewed online via YouTube PRIOR to class, and homework will be started in class. In-class quizzes are handwritten and will allow you to assess your understanding of the video material.

ONLINE LECTURES:  Links to the lecture videos for each class are provided on the syllabus below.  Again, the lectures must be viewed prior to class.

OPTIONAL TEXTBOOK:  Advanced Engineering Mathematics 2nd Edition by Michael Greenberg. This is an excellent resource from which lectures and problems come.

CLASS PARTICIPATION AND IN-CLASS QUIZZES (15% of the course grade): In-class quizzes are formative assessments allowing you to gauge your understanding of the videos you just watched.  Scoring: 5 pts for answering all questions+ 5 pts for assessment.  For example, 10 pts for getting everything correct, 9 pts for getting 80% correct, 7.5 pts for answering the questions and getting ~50% correct. 

WEEKLY PROBLEM SETS (40% of the course grade): Problem sets are due on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at the beginning of class. Everything must be hand-written (why?  click here and here and here), with the exception of Matlab codes/plots.  Hard-copies of homework are preferred (they are easier for your TA to grade and a happy grader is a good thing for everyone!); however, neatly organized e-files using sketching software may be turned in via Lamaku. Photocopies of work done on paper will not be accepted. You must obtain permission to turn in a problem set late, prior to the due date. Unexcused late work will be charged 15% if turned in on Monday after the Friday due date, and 10% per late day up to Wednesday.

EXAMS (45% of the course grade): Midterm 1 (13%), Midterm 2 (13%), Final (19%). The exams will be done in class and handwritten. 

SOFTWARE: Computer programming literacy is an important part of applied math.  Some of the class exercises will provide practice in this.  For these I will teach using Matlab, so you should download and install, following “How to get Matlab TAH Software”, this asap.  Alternatively, if you know R or Python, you may use those; although I haven't used those much myself so I’m not sure how well I can help you with those.  

USE OF AI & STUDENT COLLABORATION.. should be done to help your learning. Student collaboration can be a very beneficial learning activity and is encouraged for weekly problem sets and in-class activities.  Generative AI can be used to check your work or help with individual steps of a problem. Neither your classmate's work nor AI output may be copied to solve a problem.  Everything you present as your work must truly be yours, meaning you understand what you wrote and why you wrote it.  Presenting others' work as your own is considered cheating and a violation of the UH Student Code of Conduct.  Exams are individual learning assessments, so interaction with classmates or unapproved software is prohibited. 

SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL:  Our class will be a positive learning environment inclusive of age, gender expression, ethnicity, cultural and socio-economic background, scholastic abilities, sexual orientation, political viewpoints, spirituality, physical abilities, or any other aspect that makes people who they are.  Classroom interactions will promote respect for everyone, as well as support and encouragement for learning.

Elementary Functions, Derivatives, Integrals, and Imaginary Numbers