The goal is to take advantage of the programming skills that the students learn in introductory level computer science courses to exploit the broad power of modern computing related to their science and engineering disciplines. Computational techniques are taught in parallel with programming and problem-solving methodologies. The students learn how to recognize a "good" or "bad" formulation of the problem, select the proper algorithm to solve a given computational problem, and interpret the results, and thus learn to become intelligent users, rather than creators, of computational software. The first semester will deal with fundamental issues in numerical computing.
Pre-requisites for this course are
CS1114, MA1122, MA2012, MA2132. Serious numerical calculations will be performed using MATLAB in class and in homework assignments. Students are required to bring their laptop notebook computers to classes. Make sure that MATLAB is properly installed on your laptop. Help with software and hardware issues should be addressed to the Laptop HelpDesk located in RH 339.Instructor :
K. Ming Leung
E-mail :
Office :
LC 127
Office hours :
Tuesday: 1:00 - 2:00 pm, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Textbook :
Scientific Computing: An Introductory Survey, 2nd Edition, (McGraw-Hill, NY, 2002), by Michael T. Heath.
Lectures :
2 lectures a week, totaling to 39 hours per semester.
Recitation :
Roughly one hour per week
Exams :
An open-book final exam.
Homework :
Weekly homework assignments
Recitation Infrastructure :
Hands-on programming and exploration using MATLAB and existing public-domain software packages .
Grading System:
HW (60%), Attendance/Participation (10%), Final (30%).
Course Objectives :
Knowledge of the fundamental issues concerning scientific and engineering computing.
Ability to formulate the problem, identify an appropriate computational algorithm, and properly interpret the results.
Tentative topics:
Recitation topics:
Fully coordinated and integrated with lecture material.
ABET Competencies :
This course addresses the following ABET competencies :
a) Students apply knowledge of mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, differential equations) and computational techniques to solve science and engineering problems.
e) Students identify, formulate and solve scientific and engineering problems.
k) Students learn techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice by using computational and graphical tools for homework assignments and term projects.
Content by Category :
Engineering Science = 4 credits (100%)
Instructional Materials :
Materials for lectures and recitation classes
Homeworks :
Homework assignments and their solutions
Examination :
Solution for problem 5 of the mock final exam