MAT 331 Computer-Assisted Mathematical Problem Solving, Spring 2018

MAT 331 Computer-Assisted Mathematical Problem Solving, Spring 2018

Programming Language

General Information

  • Instructor: Dr. Letao Zhang

  • Office: 4-116 Mathematics Building

  • Meeting: TuTh 11:30-12:50 Math Tower S-235S (computer lab in basement)

  • Office Hour: Tuesday 1:30pm-2:30pm

  • Location: Math Learning Center (Math Tower Room S-235)

  • Course code/materials: https://sites.google.com/site/letaoedu/teaching/spr18mat331/material

  • Final Exam: Tuesday, May 15, 11:15am-1:45pm

  • Final Exam Location: lab

In-class quizzes & midterm schedule

Midterm: Tuesday March 06 (in-class)

Quiz (30 minutes each, in-class) schedule:

Tue Feb. 13, Tue Mar. 27, Tue Apr. 10, Tue Apr. 24

Textbook == resources

  1. Best place to find programming related answers :

  2. https://stackoverflow.com/

  3. Basic Python3.x (required), Chapter 1 - 10 in the tutorial:

  4. https://www.py4e.com/html3/01-intro

  5. Probability (prerequisite Chapter 1 - 7; required chapter 8-12)

  6. https://math.dartmouth.edu/~prob/prob/prob.pdf

  7. Highly Recommended :we will NOT use R/Stan, but the stats part is useful

  8. Statistical Rethinking: A Bayesian Course with Examples in R and Stan by Richard McElreath.

  9. Bayesian Data Analysis, by Andrew Gelman, John Carlin, Hal Stern, David Dunson, Aki Vehtari, and Donald Rubin. 3rd Edition.

Homework: Please read carefully!! No late homework will be accepted.

Homework includes two parts:

  1. Written part: Usually involving mathematical proofs and calculation by hand.

  2. Programming part: usually involving writing a short report stating the problem, describing how to solve it, giving the Python code with comments you used, and table or pictures that illustrate your results.

  3. Note that each programming assignment contributes to a portion of a project.

Hand in Homework:

    1. Homework will be assigned on Friday every week.

    2. (say Fri. Jan. 26)

    3. The written part will be due in class the next Thursday, and you will hand it in directly to the instructor.

    4. (say in-class Thu. Feb. 1)

    5. The programming part will be due on Friday before 5PM, and you will submit it through Blackboard.

    6. (say 5PM Fri. Feb. 2)

Make sure to check if your grade(s) are uploaded correctly on Blackboard. If not, please email me as soon as possible. No grade modification will be given after the last day of class.

Grades, Homework and Exams

    • Grades will be based on:

    1. In-class quizzes.

    2. Written Homework: usually involving mathematical proves and calculation by hands.

    3. Programming homework: usually involving writing a short report stating the problem, describing how to solve it, giving the Python code you used, and table or pictures that illustrate your results.

    4. Note that each programming assignment contributes to a portion of a project.

    5. One midterm exam (similar to quizzes, but longer)

    6. One final exam (similar to quizzes, but longer)

    • Grades will be calculated using:

    1. 20% homework.

    2. No late homework will be accepted . But your lowest TWO homework grades will be dropped

    3. 30% Quizzes.

    4. No make-up quiz will be given But your lowest ONE quiz grade will be dropped

    5. 20% Midterm.

    6. There will only be one midterm exam, and no make-up exam will be given.

    7. 30% Final.

    8. No make-up exam will be given.

Class Material and Homework

All class materials (notes, homework, codes, etc. ) are posted through the link:

https://sites.google.com/site/letaoedu/teaching/spr18mat331/material

Disability Support Services (DSS) Statement

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any, are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following website

http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities

Academic Integrity Statement

Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty are required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. Faculty in the Health Sciences Center (School of Health Technology & Management, Nursing, Social Welfare, Dental Medicine) and School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website at:

http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic_integrity/index.html

Critical Incident Management Statement

Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Faculty in the HSC Schools and the School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures.