The primary purpose of this course is to teach you how to specify a problem, break it up into algorithmic pieces, and implement a program to execute those pieces. While there are hundreds of different programming languages, this class will be set around Matlab, since it has a rich toolbox of routines suitable for scientist.
Along the way, we will learn about the following essential concepts:
Everything required for this class will be provided during lecture times. However, I would recommend you the following two optional books for your own references.
First one could be used as a short Matlab reference book: “Getting Started with MATLAB: A Quick Introduction for Scientists and Engineers” by Rudra Pratap (ISBN-10: 0199731241, ISBN-13: 978-0199731244).
The other one for a more extended treatment of numerical algorithm with Matlab: “Numerical Methods in Engineering with MATLAB” by Jaan Kiusalaas (ISBN-10: 0521191335, ISBN-13: 978-0521191333).
We will have 2 regular lectures and one short lecture/lab per week. The short lecture/lab will take place on Friday, its main goal is to let you go through Matlab programming while I can help you with program environment related problems.
The only way to learn a new language is to talk and write using this language. A programming language is no exception. Thus you will learn by doing programming exercises during home work, midterm projects, and final project. There will be no midterms and final examination in a usual sense. Instead you will have to prepare an oral presentation complementary to your written report describing your projects (task, methods, limitations, prove that it works as expected at least for several obvious cases, and results). I expect that you will allocate 6-9 hours every week outside of the class room for the homework and projects.
FindMax
or find_max
)Important: if there is no listings and no algorithms/data files you will get zero points.
Your algorithm/program will be evaluated for
counter
instead of c
)For each consequent day after due date there will be a penalty (10% out of maximum possible score). Even if a submission happens 1 minute after due date, it holds 1 day penalty. You may get a submission extension if you ask in advance.
Do not wait till the last day to finish your assignments. Programs almost never work at the first try and require quite a lot of time to debug.
Your final grade for the course will be determined from the following grading weight distribution:
Final grades will be assigned according to the following table
Grade | Score % | Grade | Score % | Grade | Score % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | 94-100 | A- | 90-94 | ||
B+ | 87-90 | B | 84-87 | B- | 80-84 |
C+ | 77-80 | C | 74-77 | C- | 70-74 |
D+ | 67-70 | D | 64-67 | D- | 60-64 |
F | <60 |
Please notify the instructor if you are ill, so that arrangements can be made to make up missed labs.