The course outline is also available as a postscript attachment caam353.ps

When and Where: Tuesday, and Thursday between 9.25AM - 10.40 AM at DH 1070. Kartik's office hours are MWF between 11.00 - 12.00 PM, and by appointment. To set up an appointment, please send me an email.

Course webpage: The "official" webpage for this course is located at http://www.caam.rice.edu/~kartik/caam353
Please check the webpage regularly for announcements regarding the course. I will also post most of the course material, including course handouts, homeworks, exams etc here. I will try and keep this webpage up to date. Please inform me about missing links, and necessary updates by sending email to kartik@caam.rice.edu

Course Outline: This course (scientific computing) is concerned with the design and analysis of algorithms for solving mathematical problems that arise in many fields, especially science and engineering. Scientific Computing is now mentioned as a third branch, having a status that is essentially equal to, perhaps even eclipsing, that of its two older (theoretical and experimental) siblings. This is due to efficient numerical techniques (which you shall learn during the course), robust computer software, and faster computers. We can thus simulate any physical process numerically, and this leads to the routine solution of complicated problems that would have seemed impossible not so long ago. We will use MATLAB for programming purposes. I intend to follow this outline closely, but, if appropriate, shall alter what is included in the course. The course will cover sections of chapters 1,2,3,5,6,7,8, and 9 in Heath.

Here is a list of topics that we will cover during the course.

1.

Nonlinear equations.

2.

Computer Arithmetic.

3.

Error analysis and conditioning of problems.

4.

Systems of Linear equations.

5.

Linear least squares.

6.

Optimization.

7.

Interpolation.

8.

Numerical Integration and Differentiation.

9.

Solution of ordinary differential equations (ODE's).

You are welcome to discuss the homework assignments with other students, but you must (and I emphasize this) write up the solutions, and programs on your own. If you encounter any problems in the homework assignments, feel free to discuss them with me during office hours.

Grading: Please make it a point to pick up your corrected homework assignments. I will notify you by email once I am done with the grading, and it is then your responsibility to pick up your corrected assignment.

Look over the graded homework as soon it is returned. If you detect mistakes in the grading, notify me immediately. Homework scores will not be changed two weeks after they have been returned, so it is in your best interest to pick up your corrected assignments immediately.

Exams: We will have two take-home exams : a midterm, and a final. The midterm exam will be handed out in class on the 4th of March (Tuesday), and is due in class on the 6th of March (Thursday). This will be a 2 hour examination. The take-home final exam will be handed out on the last day of class (24th April), and is due by 5 pm on the 1st of May. This duration of this exam is 3 hours. Both exams are open book, and notes. As you would expect, each exam has to be your own work. No colloborations are permitted, and you can discuss the exams with me via email, or during office hours.

Honor Code Policy: You may discuss your homework assignments with other students, but you must write up your solutions, and programs on your own. No colloboration is permitted on the take home exams. You must sign and respect the traditional pledge on the front page of each of the exams.

Grades: The grades will be determined by three elements : homeworks, exams (midterm and final), and class participation. The breakup will be : 10% for class participation, 40% for the homeworks, 20% for the midterm, and 30% for the final.

Textbooks:

These books can be purchased from the campus bookstore. They are also available on reserve in the Fondren library.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of multivariable calculus, linear algebra are essential, and a smattering of ordinary differential equations. Familiarity with MATLAB is a plus, although not a prerequisite. If you have any questions, feel free to drop by, and talk to me about it.