EH 2223 (What? Where's that?)

Tues (lecture)/Thurs (lab) 3:30

15846/15818

Bruce E Shapiro Ph.D

bruce.e.shapiro at csun.edu (See note about SPAM blockers)

Time and Location to be announced in class.

Please note that my day job is Caltech and I do not hang around my office at CSUN. If you stop buy the office to look for me, I won't be there.

The best way to reach me is by email. I don't use any phones on campus so leaving me a phone message is iffy.

This course gives students an introduction to basic numerical techniques and to programming using some of the common software packages used in mathematics. Students apply these techniques in projects from different branches of mathematics. [Note: This course does not replace a rigorous course in Numerical Analysis.] Two hours lecture, two hours lab.

Computer literacy for math majors. This course will introduce students to various topics in computational science that will be useful in their professional lives as mathematicians or mathematical scientists.

You don't need to have any prior programming experience, although it would be helpful.

Note that even though the course title is "Scientific Computation" we are not going to talk about science or modeling. We are going to talk about tools and techniques that are useful for mathematics, the mathematical sciences or mathematical modeling, and will do short projects that help you learn about these techniques. If you are really interested in this topic you should also take classes in Mathematical Modeling and numerical analysis.

• (40%) Homework & Lab assignments
• (20%) Final Exam
• (40%) Project (Click here for more information about the project.)

Your grade will be reduced by 3 points for each unexecused absence.

All written assignments must be typeset using Latex. Where appropriate some content may be turned in that is written in another computer language, such as Mathematica.

Is required and your grade will be penalized if you miss too many classes. Your grade will be reduced 3 points (out of 100) for each unexecused absence.

Remember to sign in during every class.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accord with university policies on Student Conduct and Academic Dishonesty. Violation of this code could be punishable by a failing grade in the class or removal from the university, as determined by Dean of Students.

I require students to sign an affirmation that they will abide by the student conduct code (and not cheat in this class) and to reaffirm this contract at each exam. If you are uncomfortable signing this affirmation you should not enroll in this class.

The student conduct code is posted at: http://www.csun.edu/a&r/soc/studentconduct.html and is in the University Catalog, Appendix C.

Bring enough for the whole class. Keebler Grasshoppers are my favorite, but any kind of chocolate chip are also good. No Oreos, please! (This also applies to burgers as they stink up the class. I especially like Charburgers from the Habit, no cheese)./p>

By the end of the semester you should be able to

• Write short computer programs in Mathematica.
• Design and post a web page, including posting of material and links.
• Write a paper in LaTeX typesetting all mathematical notation.
• Give a short (10 minute) coherent, understandable talk to your peers on some topic in Mathematics, including designing and presenting a slide show.