Syllabus MAD 4401

General Information

Instructor: Maia Martcheva.

E-mail: maia@ufl.edu

Office: 467 Little Hall

Phone: 392-0281 ext. 237

Class time and place: MWF 11:45-12:35 (5th period),  Lit 237

 

Goal, Text and Topics

 

Goal: Introduce the subject of numerical methods.

Textbook: Numerical Analysis, 9th edition, PWS Kent (Publisher), Richard L. Burden, J. Douglas Fares (required)

Topics:

  • Roundoff  Errors
  • Root Finding
  • Interpolation and Polynomial Approximation 
  • Numerical Differentiation 
  • Numerical Integration 
  • Numerical Differential Equations 
  • Systems of Linear Equations
  • Least Squares Approximations

Notes:

  • Computer skills are expected. You must know well at least one programming language. I generally expect coding in MATLAB.
  • Homework will be assigned  on the Web. It is due on the specified due date (generally Wednesday next week)  by 5:00p.m. No late homework is accepted.
  • Calculators are permitted (and required)  during examinations.

Testing  and  Grading:

There will be two exams during the term and a final exam. The final exam will be given on the date and at the time published in the front page.

Hour Exam (October 8,2014)            100
Hour Exam (November 12,2014)       100
Homework Problems                         50
Final Exam                                     200
Total                                               450

 

GRADES:

  1. Each homework is worth  up to 10 pts. depending on whether it is undone, somewhat done, or correct. Students ARE encouraged to work together on the homework problems. Three lowest homework scores will be dropped from the total.
  2. If 1/2 of a student’s score on the final exam exceeds his/her lowest hour exam score, then this lowest score is replaced by 1/2 of the final exam score. As a consequence make-up exams will rarely be given.  If a student takes a make-up exam, he/she cannot use this rule for this exam. If the final is a make-up, this rule cannot be used at all. Make-up is
    any exam outside the regular time.
  3. Cutoffs for letter grades are decided based on jumps in the point total.

Approximate lower bounds for letter grades may be.

  • A …………… 400 points or higher.
  • B …………… 370 points or higher.
  • C …………… 330 points or higher.
  • D …………… 270 points or higher.
  • E …………… below 270 points.

 

Special Accommodations:

Students requesting classroom accommodations or special arrangements during examinations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation.

 

Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to know and follow the Code of Student Conduct. In particular, students must refrain from cheating,
not make their work available for cheating, give due credit and citation for any quoted work, and make only fair use of copyrighted materials and software. You are expected to write exams and complete computer projects on your own. The university has a policy on academic honesty, which may be found in the University of Florida Rules, 6C1-4, dealing with Student
Affairs. In contrast to the exams and computer projects, you are allowed to work with others on homework problems–including the ones to be handed in.

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.

Other Issues:

  • Attendance is not required, but recommended.
  • Incomplete grades are assigned only for extreme situations.
  • If necessary, I will schedule office hours outside the ones posted.