Math 341: Computational Methods
Spring 2007, Tu Th 5:30 - 6:45pm, MP 105
 

Instructor: Andrei Draganescu

Office: MP420

Phone: 410-455-3237

Email: draga@math.umbc.edu

Website: http://www.math.umbc.edu/~draga/courses/2007/Spr/math341

Office hours: Tuesday 9:30 - 10:30 am, Wednesday 4:00 - 5:00 pm, or by appointment.

Prerequisites: Math 142 or 152, Math 221; CMSC 201 is recommended.

Text: Applied Numerical Analysis, 7th edition, by Gerald and Wheatley, Pearson Education, Inc. 2004.

Course objectives: The goal of this course is to present the basics of numerical analysis. The focus will be on method design and numerical verification of theoretical results. Topics include solving nonlinear equations, direct and iterative methods for linear systems of equations, function approximation, numerical differentiation and integration, and numerical solution of ordinary differential equations. A good part of Chapters 1 through 7 in the text will be covered.

Grade structure:

Grading policy:

Homework is an essential part of this course. Experience has shown a strong correlation between homework grades and overall course performance. There will be a homework assignment due on Thursday of every week at the beginning of class. Late assignments will not be accepted under any circumstances. All assignments will receive a grade on a 0 - 10 scale, and will carry equal weight in the final homework grade, with the lowest two scores being dropped. For each assignment only a selected set of problems will be graded, however, the grader will verify that all problems were attempted. It is encouraged to discuss homework problems with colleagues, but the submitted write-up should be the result of individual work only.

Tests and final exam: There will be two in-class tests and a final exam. The tests are scheduled for 3/1 (Test 1) and 4/12 (Test 2). The final exam will be comprehensive. No make-up test will be given except
possibly in the event of a serious emergency, case in which the student may be asked to show appropriate documentation. The final exam will be given at the date, time, place specified by the University (5/17, 6 - 8 pm), and there will be no exceptions.

Class materials and blackboard site: The course's blackboard site will be used for posting homework assignments and other class materials. It is encouraged to use the class's discussion board for questions of interest to the entire class.

Academic conduct: The UMBC policy on academic conduct will be strictly observed. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student handbook, the
Faculty Handbook, the UMBC Integrity web page http://www.umbc.edu/integrity, or the Graduate School website http://www.umbc.edu/gradschool.