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Class Hours
Lecture: Monday Wednesday 4:00-5:15pm in Keller 3-115, in person.
Textbook
Staff
Instructor: Prof. Daniel Boley,
Office: via Zoom
(links will be posted on the Canvas page when available.)
Phone: 612-625-3887 (messages only)
Office Hours: Mondays 5:30-6:30pm
Email: boley at umn....
To avoid my e-mail spam filter, please include
the string "5302" in the subject line.
TA: TBA
Office: Zoom
(links will be posted on the Canvas page when available.)
Phone: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
Email: TBA at umn....
Assignment Plan
General Information
This course introduces the basic numerical techniques to solve mathematical
problems on a digital computer. Algorithms for several common problems
encountered in computer science, mathematics, science and engineering are introduced. The
pitfalls and errors that can arise when solving mathematical problems with
methods taking finite time and in finite precision arithmetic are discussed,
and measures to predict when such pitfalls are encountered will be introduced.
TOPICS by WEEK
Computer Platform
Students will be expected to implement several of the algorithms on a digital computer using python with a limited set of packages (e.g., numpy, matplotlib, pdb, plus a few functions listed explicitly from other packages). In the cases where another equivalent interactive programming environment is allowed, you will be responsible for implementing the equivalent features and may find only limited help from the instructional staff. Students should be familiar with basic programming techniques. Students should also be acquainted with the basic concepts of the more elementary mathematical and numerical methods (e.g. solving simple linear equations, root-finding, computing averages, using derivatives to find the minimum of a scalar function, etc.) though some of this will be reviewed during the course.
Ethics
All items handed in to be graded must represent the individual effort of whoever's name(s) appears on the item. At a minimum, violators of this policy may fail the course and/or may have their names recorded at appropriate University or Departmental offices. Mutual discussion of each individual's results in the homeworks is encouraged, as long as the results themselves represent individual efforts. If you use or submit any material or software you obtained from the World Wide Web or any other source outside of class, you must cite it. This includes the use of ChatGPT or any Large Language Model. You may be asked to explain in person any answers you submit. In some assignments, you may be restricted on what software you can use, beyond the restrictions mentioned above.
Assignments and Grading
To pass the course, you will have to achieve a passing grade on the exams alone, and do satisfactorily on the homeworks. Any questions about the grading of any item must be asked within a week of when items are first handed back to students. After one week has passed, the scores become final. Assignments are to be done individually unless they are explicitly assigned to be done in pairs or small groups; such items should be handed in as a single item listing the names of all participants.
Electronic Submission
Unless otherwise stated, all work must be submitted electronically through canvas. We are not responsible if we cannot read your handwriting, or if electronic scans of written material are unreadable. Even if late, all submissions should be submitted as a single unit directly to canvas (no parts submitted separately at a later time).
Electronic homework submissions should consist of at most 2 files: a ZIP file containing all computer code (if any), and a separate PDF file containing everything else, including the answers. If there is no computer code, then just submit the single PDF file containing all your written answers. Do not use 'rar', 'tar', '7zip' or any other archiver. Submit the PDF file as a separate file, not within the ZIP file. We are not responsible if we have any problems reading it.
Late Homework Submissions
Homeworks will be accepted until answers have been posted or discussed in class
and up to three working days
after the due date (whichever occurs first).
For regular homeworks, the late penalty will grow nonlinearly with the delay:
1% if within 12 hours ( only once during the semester), 2% if within 24 hours, 10% up to 2 days,
20% if more.
If unable to complete a quiz during class, you should hand in what you can in class, and hand in
your more complete answer within 24 hours.
Late pop quizzes will receive only half credit.
Answers could be posted any time after the due date/time
without advance notice.
University Policies