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CS 270 Syllabus



Introduction to Numerical Computation



Spring 2008



CIS Department



Saint Vincent College



General Information

  • 3 credits
  • Prerequisite: MA 109 or MA 111 or the equivalent
  • Instructor: Brother David Carlson
  • Office: Physics 201
  • Office hours:
    • Mon Wed Fri 9:00 - 10:15 am
    • Mon 2:00 - 4:00 pm
    • Thurs 12:30 - 2:30 pm
    • and by appointment
  • Phone: 724-805-2416
  • Email: carlsond@stvincent.edu
  • The CIS lab will be used for programming assignments. The lab schedule will be in operation soon after the semester starts.
  • Text: Fortran 95/2003 for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd edition, by Stephen J. Chapman. McGraw-Hill (2008).

Description


This course has two main goals: to teach the student the basics of programming in the Fortran 90/95 language and to use that language to find numerical solutions to mathematical problems, especially problems of interest in science and engineering. In order to do this, a good deal of time is spent on studying elementary numerical analysis. Good software engineering techniques are emphasized in the programming portions of the course.

It is assumed that the student is familiar with derivatives and integrals, algebra, and typical precalculus topics. No programming background is required. The coverage of Fortran will start at the beginning. Fortran 90 on the CIS Linux server will be used throughout this course. Topics covered include the structure of a Fortran program, input/output, arithmetic, built-in functions, decision structures, loop structures, software engineering techniques, number representation, errors, arrays, functions and subroutines. Numerical analysis topics will include most of the following: limits of computer arithmetic, Taylor series, Fourier series, roots of non-linear equations, systems of linear equations, the use of a library of numerical subroutines, numerical integration techniques, approximating the value of a derivative, and finding a numerical solution to an ordinary differential equation. Mathematica will be used occasionally in this course.

Why Take This Course


This course is needed by some 3/2 engineering students (depending on the engineering school to which they plan to go). The course might also be of interest to some mathematics majors, CIS majors, physics majors, and anyone else interested in numerical analysis.

The Text


The text provides plenty of material on Fortran, but nothing on numerical analysis. The latter will be supplied by the instructor in class. We expect to cover at least chapters 1 through 7 in the text but will not attempt to go through the entire book.

Core Goals


This course contributes especially toward the following core curriculum goals, listed in order of emphasis. Writing good mathematics in the solution of problems is the key communication skill for this course.
  1. To develop mathematical skills and quantitative literacy
  2. To form habits of ordered inquiry, logical thinking, and critical analysis
  3. To develop effective communication skills

CIS Department Goals


This course contributes to the following departmental goals, listed in order of emphasis. Problem-solving is the main goal for the course, though software engineering is also important.
  1. The CIS graduate should demonstrate the ability to manage the complexity of a technical problem through the use of good problem solving skills and software engineering skills, as well as ethical and decision-making skills.
  2. The CIS graduate should be competent in at least three programming languages.
  3. The CIS graduate should have a broad knowledge of the field of computing.

Course Goals and Means of Assessment


Specific course goals include the following. These goals will be assessed by means of homework assignments, quizes, class participation, and tests. Informal student comments are also considered.
  • By the end of the course the student should be able to write basic Fortran 90 programs that use the constructs outlined above. Programming assignments are the main means of assessment for this goal.
  • By the end of the course the student should be able to write Fortran 90 programs that use the techniques of numerical analysis that were covered. Programming assignments are again the main means of assessment for this goal.
  • By the end of the course the student should be able to explain the mathematics behind the numerical analysis techniques that have been covered and to use this to explain the tradeoffs among competing techniques. Tests and discussions are the main means of assessment for this goal.

Grading and Course Policies

  • 35% Midterm Exam
  • 35% Final Exam: Thurs, May 8, 8:30 - 10:30 am
  • 30% Homework and Quizzes
Homework, quiz, and test answers are expected to be written using good English and good mathematics. These items will be graded not just on the correctness of their answers, but also on the clarity of their presentation. This is intended to help the student to develop good written communications skills.

Letter grades will be assigned according to the scheme found in the current College Bulletin. Exams will be announced in advance, but quizzes could be given at any time. The nature of the exams may vary. Ask the instructor before each for information about the exam. Cell phones and pagers should be turned off and put away during exams. The use of calculators is encouraged (in fact, expected), but calculators are not to be shared among students during an exam. Computers will not be used during exams or quizzes. Some homework will be done on an individual basis, but a seminar approach will be used at times. Thus a problem may be given to a small group of students, who will be responsible for solving it (usually by writing a Fortran program), analyzing it, and presenting the results to the class. On homework, students can use computerized mathematics systems such as Mathematica to supplement their work in Fortran unless told otherwise.

Both the instructor and students are expected to do their best to produce a good class and to treat each other with respect. This includes many factors, such as listening when someone else is speaking, trying to understand what others are saying, being of assistance to others, etc. It definitely does NOT include making fun of others. On a practical level, do your best to improve your grade: read the text, attend class, do the work, ask questions, and try to answer questions in class! Mathematics is not a spectator sport! It requires active participation and repeated practice. Do lots of homework problems! If you begin to feel lost, consult one of the tutors, see the instructor, or work through the difficulties with the help of another student in the course. Do not let yourself get behind. In fact, one key to academic success is to start early on homework and other tasks. Last-minute miracles seldom work! Note in particular that attendance is expected. Student performance is bound to deteriorate when classes are missed. In order to emphasize the importance of attendance, the policies outlined right after this paragraph will be used.

  • If the student does not attain a passing average in the test category, a failing grade will be received for the course.
  • Each unexcused absence after the first 3 results in 1.5 percentage points being deducted from the final course grade.
  • Arriving late for class or leaving early (without a proper excuse) is counted as 1/2 of an absence.
  • An unexcused absence from an exam results in the failure of the course.
  • Unexcused absence from more than one-third of the semester's classes results in the failure of the course.
  • Attendance is used to decide borderline grades at the end of the semester.
  • Unexcused absence from class also means a grade of zero on any collected homework or quiz given in that class.
  • Late work is not accepted unless resulting from an excused absence.
  • Written documentation (such as a note from a doctor's office or coach of one's sports team) is normally required for an absence to be excused. Always bring a copy of such a note to give to your instructor when class must be missed. In special circumstances, check with your instructor.
  • The lowest 2 grades in the homework/quiz category will be dropped at the end of the semester. This is intended to cover absences due to minor illnesses, sports, and the like.
Make-up quizzes will not normally be given. For an excused absence, the student will simply be excused from the quiz. Make-up exams are strongly discouraged. If possible, take the regularly scheduled exam. For an excused absence for a significant reason, the instructor may agree to give a make-up exam. Whenever possible, see your instructor ahead of time if you know you must miss an exam (e.g. due to sports). Normally some type of written documentation is required (such as a note from the coach, doctor, etc.). Students participating in sports teams are required to provide the instructor at the start of the semester with a schedule of games that might conflict with class. If the documentation or reason for missing an exam is poor, the student can count on receiving a significantly more difficult exam, if one is given at all! Do ask about a makeup exam if you have a good reason to miss an exam, as it is understood that illnesses and other complications do happen.

Intellectual honesty is important at Saint Vincent College. Attempts to pass off the work of another as one's own will result in action appropriate to the seriousness of the situation. All cases of apparent intellectual dishonesty are referred to the college administration. In this course, students are expected especially to do entirely their own work on the exams and quizzes. On homework, students are expected to do their own work unless assigned to a small group homework. On individual assignments do not write a section of a program for someone or ask someone to allow you to see their program. You may assist each other with small questions as long as answering the question does not give away the bulk of the solution to the problem. For more involved questions see the instructor. If an assignment is specified as an individual project, then homework that has been copied or done together is not acceptable. On a small group homework, only the members of the group are permitted to work together on that homework. Students are encouraged to study together, however, particularly for exams. Be sure to read the Regulations section of the College Bulletin (which covers such things as grading, academic honesty, etc.)

Be sure to read and follow the CIS Department Policies, available under the CIS Department Web Page. (This statement covers especially the proper use of departmental computing facilities, policies concerning your Web pages, etc.) In addition, read the Regulations section of the College Bulletin (which covers such things as grading, academic honesty, etc.) and the Student Handbook (especially the section on academic honesty and the section on the misuse of computers or computer networks).

Students with disabilities who may be eligible for academic accomodations and support services should please consult Mrs. Sandy Quinlivan by phone (724-805-2371), email (sandy.quinlivan@email.stvincent.edu) or by appointment (Academic Affairs - directly above the post office). Reasonable accomodations do not alter the essential elements of any course, program, or activity.

If the instructor needs to cancel class, every effort will be made to post a note to this effect on the course web page and on the door to the classroom. If this cannot be done, as a last resort the instructor's phone greeting will be changed to indicate that class is cancelled.



Maintained by: Br. David Carlson
Last updated: January 13, 2008
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