Math 5485      Introduction to Numerical Methods I       Fall, 2002

Professor Peter J. Olver
School of Mathematics
Institute of Technology
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
540 Vincent Hall
Phone: 612-624-5534
Fax: 612-626-2017
e-mail: olver@math.umn.edu
http://www.math.umn.edu/~olver
Lectures:    MWF 1:25 - 2:15, Vincent Hall 2
Office Hours:   M 10:00-11:00, 2:30-3:30, F 10:00-11:00, or by appointment


Homework Assignments


First Midterm:     Monday, October 14

Second Midterm:     Friday, December 6

Final Exam:     Take Home, to be handed out on Wednesday, December 11 and due on December 18 at 3:00 pm.


Course Description:   Math 5485-6 is a basic introduction to numerical methods. I will cover most of the material in the text, but not in the same order. Fall semester will cover solution of equations and systems, numerical linear algebra, interpolation and approximation. Spring semester will continue, and include numerical differentiation, solution of ordinary differential equations, boundary value problems and partial differential equations, including Fourier methods and finite elements.

Text:   R.L. Burden and J.D. Faires, Numerical Analysis, Seventh Edition.
                  We will cover, in order, chapters 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 3, 8 in the first semester.

Homework:   Each assignment will consist of problems from the text, together with one or more computer projects. Assignments handed out on a Wednesday will be due the following Wednesday.

Computer Projects:   I will be introducing and using the numerical and graphing package Matlab to illustrate many of the concepts and calculations. Students will be expected to learn the basics of Matlab. Some class sessions will meet in the IT computer lab in Lind 24; dates will be announced in advance. You will need an IT computer account with unix to log on to the lab computers. The computer projects are expected to be programmed in Matlab. However, neither the professor nor the grader will be expected to read computer code or be responsible for debugging! The final output must be in easily readable form, and the grade will depend on presentation and neatness as well as mathematical correctness. Unintelligible outputs will receive no credit.

Hour Exams:   There will be two midterm exams; the date and chapters covered will be announced in due course. Make-up exams will only be given in exceptional circumstances, and then only when notice is given to me before hand and a suitable written excuse forthcoming.

Grading:

Incompletes:   Only given in extreme circumstances, and only when the student has satisfactorily completed all but a small portion of the work in the course. Students must make prior arrangements with the professor well before the end of the quarter.

Grading Standards and Student Conduct:   Students are expected to be familiar with University of Minnesota policies on grading standards and student conduct, including the consequences for students who violate standards of academic honesty.


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