AMSC/CMSC 460, Spring 11: Computational Methods

Course Outline

Time & Place

MWF 12:00-12:50pm in MTH 0306

Instructor

Dr. T. von Petersdorff, office MTH 4409, e-mail tvp@math.umd.edu, office hours Tue 10-12 (or by appointment)

Grader

Adrienne Norwood

Textbook

E. Süli: ``An Introduction to Numerical Analysis'', Cambridge University Press, 2003. I will not follow the textbook very closely, and I recommend that you take notes (in particular for least squares problems which are not in the textbook).

Syllabus

Corresponding sections in the textbook are given in parentheses. Some additional material will be available on the course web page.

• Computer Arithmetic and Errors
• Linear Systems of Equations (2.1-2.8)
• Interpolation (6.1-6.3, 11.1-11.5)
• Linear Least Squares Problems (2.9)
• Nonlinear Systems of Equations (1.4-1.7, 4.1-4.3)
• Numerical Integration (7.1-7.5, 10.2)
• Ordinary Differential Equations (12.1-12.5, 12.10)

Grading Policy

The grade will be obtained from a weighted average of exams, homeworks, and final exam (see below). With a total percentage you are guaranteed an A, B, C, D, respectively. These cutoffs may be lowered slightly.

2 Exams (Total 30%)

Make-up exams will only be given for legitimate and documented absences according to the University Assessment Policy (www.testudo.umd.edu/soc/atedasse.html). You must notify me of any such absence as soon as possible.

Homeworks (Total 40%)

There will be about 6 assignments, containing both theoretical problems and computer problems with Matlab. If an assignment is late, there will be a penalty of 15% for each day after the due date. You can hand in assignments either in class, or you can slip them under the door of my office (MTH 4409) until 9pm. You must write the current time and date on your assignment when you slip it under the door. The homeworks must be done individually by each student, sharing of material (in particular code) is considered academic dishonesty.

Final Exam (30%)

The cumulative final exam will be on Tue, May 17, 8:00-10:00am in MTH0306.

Matlab

This course will use Matlab (version 7). Matlab is available on most campus computers. You can also buy the student version of Matlab at the Stamp Union for about $100 and use it on your own computer.

Course Web Page

www.math.umd.edu/tvp/460 gives additional information about the course, e.g., hints for using Matlab and for the homework problems. Please check this web page regularly.