Math 426 - Introduction to Mathematical Software Packages: Matlab
Summer 2005 - Matthias K. Gobbert
Section 6040 - Schedule Number 0290
This page can be reached via my homepage at
http://www.math.umbc.edu/~gobbert.
Basic Information
- Matthias K. Gobbert,
Math/Psyc 416, (410) 455-2404, gobbert@math.umbc.edu,
office hours: TTh 04:00-05:00 or by appointment
- Classes: ENG 122 (PC instructional computer lab),
TTh 06:00-09:10,
see the detailed schedule for more information.
- Prerequisites: Math 152, Math 221, CMSC 201, or instructor approval.
- Required textbook:
Desmond J. Higham and Nicholas J. Higham,
Matlab Guide, second edition, SIAM, 2005.
Associated webpage:
http://www.ma.man.ac.uk/~higham/mg
including updates, code, and a list of errors.
- Grading policy:
Homework and Quizzes
| Final Exam
|
50%
| 50%
|
In addition to these formally graded course components,
your professional behavior and
active participation in all aspects of the course are required.
In particular, this includes the expectation that you will
participate actively in class, both in trying out commands in Matlab and
in working to understand the mathematics or theory behind those commands.
- The homework is weighted so heavily, because it includes
the computer assignments that are vital to understanding
the course material.
The quizzes will generally be unannounced and brief;
they may be designed to initiate class discussion or to give me
feedback on your learning.
- The final exam is an in-class exam.
You will be asked to solve a few problems using Matlab and
to document your solution, similar to homework and quizzes.
Additional details or changes will be announced as necessary.
See also general policies and procedures
for more information.
- We will use the course management software Blackboard.
Please go to http://bbss.umbc.edu,
log in using your UMBC username and password,
then look under "My Courses".
Besides posting files for homework and similar under Course Documents,
we will use the Discussion Board to communicate
questions and comments on the content of the course outside of class.
You are strongly encouraged to respond to each others' postings;
the point is to establish a class discussion.
I may consider extra credit for particularly useful posts.
I will not respond to e-mail with content-related questions;
you have to post these questions to the Discussion Board!
(If I get an e-mail of this type, I may forward it to the
Discussion Board myself.)
I will be using Blackboard
to e-mail you during the course, so make sure to check
your UMBC account regularly or have the mail forwarded.
Notice that we are piloting the new version of Blackboard,
so you have to go directly to the specified web address.
Overview
Matlab is a professional software package designed to implement mathematical
ideas on a high level using the language of linear algebra.
It is widely used in industrial companies, government
agencies, and educational institutions for rapid prototyping and teaching.
Its main popularity roots in its intuitive interactive interface combined
with reliable numerical algorithms and professional graphics capabilities.
We will start by introducing the basic data structures and functionality
of Matlab.
Then we will work our way up to programming structures and discuss how
to write efficient Matlab functions. The second half of the course covers
Matlab's extensive two- and three-dimensional graphics capabilities.
Additionally, we will discuss selected features from the Symbolic Math Toolbox
and the IEEE-standard for floating-point numbers, if time permits.
The class meetings will typically consist of a combination of lecture and
supervised lab work. The goal of this course is to make you proficient in
your use of Matlab, and active participation in all aspects of the course
is vital to learning the material.
Other Information
UMBC Academic Integrity Policy
By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of
an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's
academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty.
Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts
are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic
misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is
not limited to, suspension or dismissal.
To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the
UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook,
the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory for undergraduate students,
or the Graduate School website for graduate students.
Copyright © 2000-2005 by Matthias K. Gobbert. All Rights Reserved.
This page version 1.0, May 2005.