CMSC/AMSC/MAPL 460 Computational Methods

 

Class:  M,W,F......12:00pm-12:50 pm (EGR 1108)

 

Instructor: Ramani Duraiswami E-mail: ramani AT umiacs.umd.edu;

Office Hours:  Mondays 1:30 p.m. - 3:00, in AVW 3361. (you must confirm I am there before coming by emailing me)

 

Grader: Ross Adelman; E-mail: rna AT umd.edu

 

Textbook (Required): Numerical Computing with MATLAB, by Cleve Moler, ISBN 0-89871-560-1

Individual Chapters may be downloaded from the author's web site at http://www.mathworks.com/moler/chapters.html

The book may be purchased from the bookstore, or from the web.

 

Software (required): MATLAB.

You will need reliable access to MATLAB and a printer for doing homework in this course.

If you already do not have access to Matlab and have a PC, the best option would be to buy the student edition from the bookstore.

 

You can also get by without buying this copy and using the software which should be accessible from University computers. However, this requires a degree of computer savviness, and your are responsible for figuring this out ASAP.

Registered students should receive email with details on class accounts on the Grace computers.

 

PIAZZA for peer-to-peer discussions/assistance.

 

NO LAPTOPS IN CLASS

 

Printing: Most homework will call for printing material (graphs, programs and the like off Matlab) and submitting it.

Emailed homework is NOT acceptable.

 

Prerequisites: Programming, advanced calculus, linear algebra.

 

Description in the catalog: Basic computational methods for interpolation, least squares, approximation, numerical quadrature, numerical solution of polynomial and transcendental equations, systems of linear equations and initial value problems for ordinary differential equations. Emphasis on methods and their computational properties rather than their analytical aspects.

 

Homework will be given out periodically, and will be due on the first class in the following week from the date handed out. No late homework, without prior arrangement. Homework will be posted on this web page.

 

Collaboration Policy:  You may study together and discuss problems and methods of solution with each other to improve your understanding. You are welcome to discuss assignments in a general way among yourselves, but you may not use other students' written work or programs. Use of external references for your work should be cited. Clear similarities between your work and others will result in a grade reduction for all parties. Flagrant violations will be referred to appropriate university authorities.

 

You are responsible for checking this page.

Policy: Honor code http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/code.html

Grading: Homework 40%, Mid-Term 25%, Final 35%

Previous versions of this course: (for reference) Fall-2005 Spring-2007 Fall 2008     Spring 2010

DATE

LECTURE

CONTENTS

01/25 2012

(Wednesday)

Lecture 1

 

Chapter 1

Introduction to the course. Why study Computational Methods?

Rules. Syllabus

 

01/27 2012

(Friday)

Lecture 2 Syllabus. Introduction to MATLAB.

01/30 2012

(Monday)

Lecture 3

Representing numbers on a computer

Overflow and conversion errors

02/01 2012

(Wednesday)

Lecture 4 Floating Point numbers
Due 02/10Homework 1

Matlab: do the following problems in the text: 1.5, 1.6., 1.7, and 1.20

Floating point representation: 1.34, 1.35, 1.38, 1.39

02/03 2012

(Friday)
Lecture 5Errors in computation
02/06 2012

(Monday)
Lecture 6Vectors, Matrices, Organization on a computer
02/08 2012

(Wednesday)
Lecture 7
02/10 2012

(Friday)
Lecture 8
02/13 2012
02/15 2012
02/17 2012
02/20 2012
02/22 2012
02/24 2012
02/26 2012
02/29 2012 Leap Day!
03/02 2012



           


Useful Links

Previous versions of 460 offered.

Prof. O'Leary: Fall 2002 (some of my material is adapted from this course)

MATLAB resources (Most links are somewhat dated --- your book has a very good introduction):

Introductory Tutorials

MATLAB tutorial from University of Utah

MATLAB tutorial from Carnegie Mellon University

MATLAB tutorial from Indiana University

Slightly more advanced Tutorials

More complete references/tutorials/FAQs