Math 448: Numerical Analysis

Spring 2016 Policy Information

Instructor: Dr. Roger Thelwell
Contact: thelwerj@jmu.edu, (540) 568 -5103.
Section 1: Burruss 30 TuTh 3:30-4:45.
Office hours: (tenative) Tues 9-11, W 10-12, and by appointment
Webpage: http://educ.jmu.edu/~thelwerj/448
Canvas site: https://canvas.jmu.edu

Course Description
Math 448 revisits many topics of Math 248 in greater depth, with greater stress on mathematical analysis and theoretical algorithm development. Specifically, topics might include error propagation and analysis of error, stability and condition, numerical linear algebra, approximation methods (e.g., spline, B-spline, least-squares , Chebyshev, fast Fourier transform ), and numerical differentiation and integration techniques. Students are expected to bring modest programming proficiency to the class. All, of the numerical techniques to be studied are of practical utility. There will be 4 programming assignments. Math 449 will extend the notions of 448 to the numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations

Prerequisites
MATH 237, MATH 300 and MATH 248.

Textbooks
Numerical Analysis by Burden & Faires Most importantly, though, just owning the text won't be enough. You've got to read it. And think about it. And work out the details with pencil and paper. And code it. And debug it. And ask questions. And THEN repeat until it makes sense.

Stucture
This course is going to require a significant investment of your time. Lectures are a great way for you to see and appreciate math, but they don't do such a great job at giving you the mastery of the material. Since mathematics is learned by practice, homework and programming assignments are really the core of this course. In general, the more work you put in, the better you will do.

On-line Material
Course material will be posted on Canvas.

Grading
Grades will be assigned on the 10 point scale:

90-100 A- to A range; 80-89: B- to B+ range; 70-79 C- to C+ range; 60-69 D to D+ range; 59 and below: F.

20% Homework
40% Programming assignments/Projects
20% Midterm
20% Final

Attendance Be here, and be on time.

Reading
It is impossible to present all the relevent material in lecture and you will be help responsible for the material in the readings.

Homework
Do the homework. There will be cases where part of the homework grade will be determined based on an oral presentation of your work, either in class or during office hours.

Collaboration (but not copying!) is encouraged. The time you spend working on the homework will be invaluable.

Programing Assignments/Projects
These will be a significant portion of the course. While you may discuss general concepts with others you SHOULD NEVER let anyone see your code. Each person (or team) should separately come up with the logical process with which they will solve the problem and program their algorithm. Functionally equivalent code will be considered an HONOR VIOLATION. Need a little extra help?
I love office hours. Please use them, and don't be afraid to send an email or give me a call.

Honor code
Remember that JMU has a strict honor code. While you are strongly encouraged to work with others in this class, the work you submit must be your own. Copying someone else's work won't help you learn the material and might just get you expelled.

Nature of the Course Content
(from course catalogue)
MATH/CS 448. Numerical Analysis. 3 credits. Offered every third semester as of spring 2016. Study and analysis of algorithms used to solve nonlinear equations and systems of linear and nonlinear equations. Iterative methods for matrices and Newton-type methods. Numerical differential and integral calculus. Programming using a high-level language and/or software packages. Prerequisites: MATH 237, MATH 300 and MATH 248.