Course Information - Math 450: Numerical Analysis - Section 01, Fall 2010

4 Credits: MTWH 3:00-3:50p.m. Bridges Room 268

 

Textbook: Numerical Analysis, 8th ed., by J. Douglas Faires. Thomson, Brooks/Cole

Office: MacLean 375M                                                 Office Phone:  477-4011         

Office Hours:   MTWRF      9:30 – 10:20am                       Email:  jamesju@mnstate.edu

TR           12:30 –   2:20pm             Webpage:  web.mnstate.edu/jamesju

                        W               1:30 –   2:20pm

                        Other times by Appointment

 

Course Description: Numerical solutions to systems of equations and differential equations, finite differences, interpolation formulas, numerical calculus, and approximating functions.

 

Prerequisites:  MATH 323, CSIS 152 

 

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:

 

·        Solve real world problems using mathematics/logical systems.

·        Express mathematical/logical ideas clearly in writing.

·        Explain what constitutes a valid mathematical/logical argument (proof).

·        Be able to construct a valid proof.

·        Apply a variety of higher-order problem-solving and modeling strategies.

·        Exhibit mastery of computational skills and the ability to make reasonable estimates.

·        Understand and be able to apply the concepts of graph theory and Boolean algebra.

 

Instructional Strategies:  Lecture, discussion, group projects, in class presentations.

 

Course Requirements: You are expected to complete all daily homework, labs, and writing assignments, and to take and pass all exams and quizzes at their scheduled dates and times.

 

Instructional Strategies:  Lecture, discussion, small group work.

 

Attendance and Academic Expectations:  You are expected to attend class regularly and on time.  The penalty for unexcused absences is that missed assignments cannot be made up.  You are expected to read the assigned material in your textbook prior to each lecture and to attempt the problems on the homework assignment.  When working in groups, you should participate fully in what the group is trying to accomplish.  You should bring your book, calculator, and solutions to recent homework problems with you to class.

 

Homework: I will collect homework for grading several times during the semester.  You will be told in advance which problems to write up and turn in.  You are encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates and with me outside of class during my office hours. 

If my office hours do not match your schedule, see me about arranging another time to meet.

 

Some homework problems will require the use of a calculator or a computer.  When using a calculator, make sure the method you used is clear.  When using a computer, include a printout of the code and output or worksheet that you used.

 

Quizzes: I will give quizzes at various times during the course.  I will typically announce quizzes at least one day before I give them so you have some time to prepare.  Quizzes will be worth from 5-10 points, depending on their length and scope.

 

 Extra Credit: There will be a few extra credit assignments during the semester (don’t count on more than a handful).  Some will be announced on the course website while others will be given in class.  All extra credit will be given to the entire class and must be handed in by the due date.  There will be no individual extra credit assignments.

 

Programming and Computational Assignments:  Since the main emphasis of this course is learning to understand and apply numerical methods, there will be several assignments during the semester (approximately one or two per chapter).  Some will involve you writing a program to implement an algorithm and then use the algorithm to solve specific examples.  Others will involve using or modifying an existing algorithm or using a Maple worksheet.

 

Exams:  This course will have four in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam, as outlined on the course syllabus.  Be sure to mark the date of each exam on your calendar, especially the final exam.  The credit given on exam questions will be proportional to the amount of correct work shown.  Little to no credit will be given if sufficient work is not shown, even when the final answer is correct.  In your final grade, your best three in-class exams will be worth 100 points each, while your lowest exam will be scaled in half to be out of 50 points.  The final exam is worth 200 points. 

 

Presentations:  Each student will be expected to give a 20 minute in class presentation this semester.  Your presentation will contribute 25 points toward your final grade.  I will give you more details about these presentations later in the semester.

 

Course Grading Policy:        Your final grade in the course will be computed as follows:

 

Homework/Quizzes                         160 points

Programming/Computational Assignments              90 points

Highest 3 Unit Exams:                        300 points

Lowest Unit Exam:                                        50 points

Presentation:                                                25 points

Final Exam:                                                200 points

Total:                                                         825 points

 

I will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned during the semester (rounded to the nearest .1%), and will then assign letter grades based on the following scale.  I may make slight adjustments to this scale (down, never up), but don’t count on this happening.

 

96.5-100.0%     A+                    81.5-86.4%   B                      69.0-71.4%            C–

91.5-96.5%       A                      79.0-81.4%   B–                    66.0-68.9%            D+

89.0-91.4%       A–                    76.5-78.9%   C+                    60.0-65.9%            D

86.5-88.9%       B+                    71.5-76.4%   C                      <60.0%             F

                                                                       

Make-up Work:

Because you are allowed to drop several scores, I will only give make-up assignments for extreme personal emergencies or for absences which are officially sanctioned by the University.  I will expect written documentation in either of these cases.  If you miss an exam and a make-up exam is not warranted, you may replace your grade on one missed exam with your un-scaled percentage score on the final exam.

 

Special Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-2131 (Voice) or

1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

 

Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own work.  You may work with others and get help on assignments, but the work you submit must be your own.  During exams and quizzes you will not be allowed to get help from others.  Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any course at any level.  See the MSUM Academic Honesty policy for more information on the possible consequences of cheating.

 

 

Thanks, And Let’s Have A Great Semester!!

 

 

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