General Information
Instructor: Dr. Sara Pollock
email: s.pollock@ufl.edu,
office: LIT 444
spring 2022 office hours: posted on home page, or by appointment
Class Time and Location
M W F Period 6 (12:50-1:40p), Little Hall (LIT) 368
Required Text
Finite Elements: Theory, Fast Solvers, and Applications in Solid Mechanics, D. Braess. Published by Cambridge University Press; 3rd edition, 2007.
Recommended Text
The Finite Element Method: Theory, Implementation and Applications, M. G. Larson and F. Bengzon. Published by Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg; 2013. Available for free (and legal!) download through the UF Library.
Description and Goals
Description. (Credit hours: 3), Topics include variational formulations of partial differential equations, finite element approximations; addresses theoretical framework and numerical issues. Finite element spaces in one, two, and three dimensions. Error analysis. Nonconforming finite element spaces. Isoparametric approximations to boundary conditions.
Topics.
- PDE examples, classification and maximum principles
- Sobolev spaces
- Variational formulation
- Dirichlet and Neumann boundary value problems
- Standard finite element spaces and approximation properties
- Error bounds
- Computational considerations
- Additional topics based on student interest
Goals. Understanding the basic theoretical framework for finite element methods, and the implementation in common software packages.
Prerequisites. MAD 6406 and MAD 6407 or consent of instructor.
Grading Policy
Grades will be calculated according to the following percentages (‘+’ and ‘−’ may be assigned at upper and lower ranges of each grade):
| Class Attendance & Participation | 50% | | | | | 90%-100% | A | |
| Homework | 15% | | | | | 80-89% | B | |
| Final Project | 35% | | | | | 70-79% | C | |
| | | | | 60-69% | D | |||
| Total | 100% | | | | | <60% | F |
Class Attendance & Participation. Your participation grade will be determined by the following factors. (1) Showing up to class on time on a regular basis and attending the entire class. (2) Asking for clarification if you do not understand a concept or assignment. (3) Maintaining the appearance that you are paying attention in class. (4) Demonstrating that you can run the example codes.
Homework. Problem sets will be assigned. You are welcome to discuss problems with each other and/or with me, but the solutions you turn in must be your own. Any code turned in must be your own or modified from presented examples. You are discouraged from searching the internet for solutions. If you do refer to an outside source, you should cite that source. Wikipedia, blogs and tutorial websites are not valid sources.
Exams. There will be no exams.
Projects. Projects will explore some of the more advanced topics not covered in lectures. Students may work together in small groups on projects.
Class Policies
Attendance. It is in your best interest to attend lectures.
Computers. You will need to use one.
Cell phones. Please don’t use your cell phone during class.
Make-up/late work. Make-up exam work is allowed only when written evidence of an official University excused absence is provided. Notification in writing (acknowledged email is acceptable) prior to the date of the absence is required. In cases where this is not feasible, the student must provide documentation by the end of the second working day after the absence. If these conditions are met, then the percentage grade earned on the final exam will be substituted for a missed exam.
Academic Integrity
Honor Code. UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states,
We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied:
“On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.”
The Honor Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. You can find the honor code here: https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/policies/student-honor-code-student-conduct-code/ If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor.
I take academic integrity very seriously. If a homework solution or take-home portion of an exam you turn in is not your own work as outlined above, you will receive a zero on that assignment. If multiple assignments are found not to be your own work, you will receive an F in the class.
SUGGESTION. Seek outside help on a problem only after thinking about it for at least 40 minutes.
Additional UF Policy Information
UF Policy on Grade Points. Grading will be in accord with the UF policy stated here: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
Class Attendance. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found here: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, https://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.
U Matter We Care. Your well-being is important to the University of Florida. The U Matter, We Care initiative is committed to creating a culture of care on our campus by encouraging members of our community to look out for one another and to reach out for help if a member of our community is in need. If you or a friend is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu so that the U Matter, We Care Team can reach out to the student in distress. A nighttime and weekend crisis counselor is available by phone at 352-392- 1575. The U Matter, We Care Team can help connect students to the many other helping resources available including, but not limited to, Victim Advocates, Housing staff, and the Counseling and Wellness Center. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.
Contact information for the Counseling and Wellness Center. https://counseling.ufl.edu/, 392-1575; and the University Police Department: 392-1111 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Online Evaluations. Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/.
THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.