| Lecture | Date | Main Topic | |
| 1 | Tu 01/28 | Overview and introductions | |
| 2 | Th 01/30 | Introduction: sources of error | Gobbert |
| 3, #1 | Tu 02/04 | Guest lecture: library resources for research, room: Library 259 | Eric A. Rector |
| 4 | Th 02/06 | The Titanic catastrophe: questions | Gobbert |
| 5 | Tu 02/11 | The Titanic catastrophe: truth and fiction | Gobbert |
| 6, #2 | Th 02/13 | Mathematical modeling: introduction | Foster |
| 7 | Tu 02/18 | Mathematical modeling: examples | Foster |
| 8 | Th 02/20 | Mathematical modeling: the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge | Foster |
| 9, #3 | Tu 02/25 | Mathematical modeling: discussion | Foster |
| 10 | Th 02/27 | Numerical simulations: introduction and examples | Gobbert |
| 11 | Tu 03/04 | Numerical simulations: errors and consequences | Gobbert |
| 12 | Th 03/06 | Discussion of typical problems | Gobbert |
| 13, #4 | Tu 03/11 | Example of a failure: the Sleipner platform | Gobbert |
| 14 | Th 03/13 | Computer numbers: IEEE-standard for floating-point arithmetic | Gobbert |
| 15 | Tu 03/18 | Computer numbers: IEEE-standard for floating-point arithmetic | Gobbert |
| 16 | Th 03/20 | Computer numbers: Patriot missile system | Gobbert |
| Tu 03/25 | Spring Break | ||
| Th 03/27 | Spring Break | ||
| 17, #5 | Tu 04/01 | Review of sources of errors vs. human decision-making | Foster |
| 18 | Th 04/03 | Problem with decision-making in practice: incomplete information | Foster |
| 19 | Tu 04/08 | Ethical decision-making: the space shuttle Challenger | Foster |
| 20 | Th 04/10 | Ethical decision-making: other factors beyond science | Foster |
| 21, #6 | Tu 04/15 | Final project: assignments and initial group work | |
| 22 | Th 04/17 | Tips for project reports and presentations | |
| 23 | Tu 04/22 | Final project: group work | |
| 24 | Th 04/24 | Movie Freefall, time and room TBD | |
| 25 | Tu 04/29 | Movie Freefall, time and room TBD | |
| 26 | Th 05/01 | Discussion of movie Freefall | Gobbert |
| 27 | Tu 05/06 | Project Presentations | |
| 28 | Th 05/08 | Project Presentations | |
| 29 | Tu 05/13 | Review | |