Course Information - Math 450: Numerical Analysis - Section 01, Fall 2016

  4 Credits: MTRF 12:00-12:50p.m. Langseth Hall Room 102

 

Textbook: Numerical Analysis, 10th ed by Richard L. Burden, J. Douglas J. Faires & Annette M. Burden, Cengage Learning

Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Dept.                                     Office: MacLean 375M  

Office Phone: 477-4011                                                                          

Office Hours:  MT   HF              10:00 – 10:50am                               Email:                    jamesju@mnstate.edu

                                      T   H                 11:00 – 11:50am                               Webpage:     web.mnstate.edu/jamesju

                            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:  In order to take Math 450, students must have successfully completed MATH 310: Discrete

Mathematics (or both MATH 210 and MATH 311), MATH 323: Multi-Variable and Vector Calculus, AND CSIS 152 –

Introduction to Computers and Programming Ia.

 
Major Content Areas:

·                  Rounding methods, absolute and relative error, the definition of an algorithm.

·                  Methods for approximating roots of functions, error analysis and rates of convergence for these methods.

·                  Interpolation and approximation of functions (including finite difference methods), error analysis for these

methods.

·                  Numerical differentiation and numerical integration techniques, error analysis for these methods.

·                  Approximating solutions to initial value problems, the definition of a well-posed problem, error analysis for

these methods. 

Learning Outcomes:

·                  Use numerical methods to find approximate solutions to a variety of real world problems.

·                  Understand the importance of verifying necessary hypotheses when using numerical methods to solve

problems.

·                  Understand the importance of error analysis and be able to use error analysis to find a reasonable upper bound

on the error when using numerical methods to solve problems.

·                  Develop multiple methods to solve the same type of problem and understand how to choose an appropriate

method to use in a specific application. 

Instructional Strategies:  Lecture, discussion, projects, group work, and student presentations.

 

Course Requirements:  You are expected to complete all daily homework, projects, and presentations, and to take and

pass all exams and quizzes at their scheduled dates and times.

 

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 its output or the Maple

worksheet that you used. In general, using a computer application for computations is preferred to using a calculator.

 

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 are worth from 5-10 points, depending on their length and

scope.

 

Extra Credit: There may be a few extra credit assignments during the semester (don’t count on more than a handful).

Some may be announced on the course website while others will be given in class.  All extra credit will be offered to the

entire class and must be handed in by the required 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 programming and computational assignments during the semester

(approximately two per chapter).  Some will involve you writing a program to implement an algorithm and then using

the algorithm on a given set of data (sometimes drawn form a real-world scenario).  Others will involve using or

modifying an existing algorithm or using a Maple worksheet to carry out computations.

 

Exams:  This course will have four in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam, as outlined on the course schedule.

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.  Your best three in-class exams will be

worth 100 points each, while your lowest exam will be scaled to be out of 50 points.  The final exam is worth 200

points. 

 

Presentations:  Each student will be expected to present an in-class presentation this semester (individually or as part

of a group).  Your presentation will contribute 50 points toward your final grade.

 

Course Grading Policy:  Your final grade in the course will be computed using the following point structure and scale:

 

Homework/Quizzes                                                         125 points

Programming/Computational Assignments            125 points

Highest 3 Unit Exams:                                                     300 points

Lowest Unit Exam:                                                              50 points

Presentation:                                                                        50 points

Final Exam:                                                                         200 points

Total:                                                                                    850 points

 

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 a few scores in each daily work grade category, I only allow make-up

assignments for extreme personal emergencies or for absences that 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: Minnesota State University Moorhead is committed to providing equitable access to

learning opportunities for all students.  The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the campus office that collaborates

with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange accommodations.

 

            If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory

Or physical) please contact the DRC at (218) 477-4318 (V) or (800)627.3529 (MRS/TTY) to schedule an appointment

for an intake.

            Additional information is available on the DRC website: http://www.mnstate.edu/disability/

            If you are registered with the DRC and have a current Accommodation Letter, please schedule an appointment

to visit with me, during my office hours, to discuss implementation of your accommodations.

 

Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own work.  You may work with others and get help on assignments,

but the final 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.

 

Sexual Violence Prevention Statement:  Acts of sexual violence are intolerable. MSUM expects all members of the

campus community to act in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others. We are committed to eliminating

all acts of sexual violence.  MSUM faculty and staff are concerned about the well-being and development of our

students. We are obligated to share information with the MSUM Title IX Coordinator in certain situations to help

ensure that the students’ safety and welfare is being addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law. These

disclosures include but are not limited to reports of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.  If you have

experienced or know someone who has experienced sexual violence, services and resources are available. You may

also choose to file a report. For further information, contact Lynn Peterson, Coordinator of Sexual Assault Services at

Hendrix Clinic and Counseling Center, 218-477-2211, or Ashley Atteberry, Title IX Coordinator in Owens Hall 208

(218-477-2174; ashley.atteberry@mnstate.edu). Additional information is available at: www.mnstate.edu/titleix

 

Thanks, and Let’s Have a Great Semester!!

 

Math 450 – Section 01 Course Page

Dr. James' Mainpage