Fall 2008 CS2503 Course Syllabus
Fall 2008 CS2503 Course Syllabus
Scientific Programming
Instructor: James Childress
Contact:
Office Hours: MW 2:00pm-3:00pm; TT 9:30 am-11:00am.
Math and Computer Science Department
Office: U331
Section Day Time Lecture LAB
1 TTh 8:00am – 9:15am KEP U5 L-2
Course Home Page
http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~james-childress/
Co-requisite
Completion of Math 2024 or currently enrolled in Math 2024
Textbook
Title: MATLAB: An Introduction With Applications.
Author: Amos Gilat
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 0-471-69420-7
Course Description
The emphasis of the course is to learn structured programming techniques used for solving science and engineering problems. The Matlab application will be used to learn programming techniques. Computer technology and computational issues in science and engineering will also be covered in the course. Course includes lecture and weekly laboratory assignments.
Course Objectives
· Learn to comprehend technical information.
· Develop structured programming skills using Matlab.
· Learn general computer science and computational science concepts used in the engineering and science disciplines.
· Enhancement of general reasoning, logic, and critical thinking skills.
· Cover topics included in the Fundamentals of Engineering professional exam.
Teaching Methods
Lecture will be used to explain concepts that may or may not be covered in the textbook. Students will be responsible for topics assigned from the text as well as additional topics covered during lecture. In-class assignments, homework, and labs will be assigned in class and posted on the web. Exams and quizzes will be used. Quizzes and in-class exercises may be given unannounced.
ADA Policy
Students with special needs as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act: Academic accommodations will be provided when appropriate documentation is presented. Contact the Center for Student Academic Support in Lorton Hall for details. The Center for Student Academic Support will inform the instructor as to what special accommodations must be provided.
Student Evaluation
There will be three mid term exams. Students will be evaluated by their performance on exams, quizzes, labs, homework, and in-class exercises. Points for the course will be awarded as follows:
Assignment Points
Homework and in-class assignments 22
3 quizzes 30
13 lab assignments (six points each) 78
Three 90-point mid term exams 270
Total 400
Grading
Let n equal the total number of points a student earns during the semester. The letter grade assigned to the point total n, is determined by this scale:
360 £ n £ 400: A
320 £ n < 360 : B
280 £ n < 320 : C
240 £ n < 280 : D
n < 240: F
Final grades will not be rounded up if more than 20% of the class achieves a letter grade of “A” at the end of the semester. The instructor may adjust grades with a curve if needed. There will be no curve if more than 20% of the class achieves an “A” letter grade.
Exams
You may not use any electronic device during an exam. Students must show all work for credit. Using an incorrect technique which by chance arrives at a correct solution will result in no credit. A correct answer without the appropriate supporting documentation (showing work) will receive no credit. There are no make-up exams for over-sleeping. A student arriving late for an exam may take the exam if no other student has completed the exam and left the classroom.
Quizzes
Students may use a standard calculator for the first quiz. No other electronic device may be used for the first quiz. No cell phones. Quizzes may be given unannounced to encourage attendance.
Programming Style
Students are expected to use good programming style in their lab assignments. Student lab assignments will be partially graded on programming style, documentation, and overall design. Exam and quiz assignments will not require the same level of programming style detail. Exams and quizzes will be graded on correct logic and correct syntax. Examples used by the instructor during lecture will exclude many details in order to use the limited time and board space effectively.
Calculators and Electronic Devices
Calculators are not allowed for exams or quizzes with the exception of the first quiz (Quiz 1). Students may not borrow or lend a calculator during the quiz. Borrowing or lending a calculator during the first quiz will result in no credit for the first quiz. No other electronic device may be used for the first quiz. Using a cell phone or a network access device during an exam or quiz will result in no credit for the exam or quiz.
Exam, Quiz, and Assignment Make-Up Policy
You may be eligible to take a make-up exam or quiz if a valid and excused absence is documented and approved by the Center for Student Academic Support. Valid and excused absences must be:
· A University sponsored event or trip. The student will take the exam or quiz while away during the regularly scheduled time.
· Extraordinary family or medical hardships. Hardships must have supporting documentation to receive special consideration. Supporting documentation does not entitle a student to a make-up. The course instructor will make the final decision for granting a make-up.
· There will be no make-up if a student over-sleeps.
All other requests for rescheduling an exam or quiz will be denied. Any make-up exams or quizzes will be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor. If you miss an in-class assignment, you must complete and return the assignment before the assignment is graded and returned to the other students.
Lab Attendance Policy
Lab attendance is required. You must attend the lab session to receive credit for the lab. You must receive prior approval from the lab instructor for doing a lab outside your regularly scheduled lab session. Lab sessions will have assigned seating. Labs are due at the end of the lab period. If you do not complete the lab, give your incomplete lab to the lab instructor; this is required to receive any credit for the assignment. The lab assistant may grant an extension. Extensions are granted to students who attend the entire lab session or by prior arrangement. Individual lab instructors may elect to include their own additional policies with the approval of the course instructor. Students are expected to be prepared prior to the scheduled lab session. You must spend some time prior to the lab session planning your strategy for completing the assignment. The Matlab software is available on computer systems in KEP M7, L1, and L2. Matlab can be purchased with a student discount from MathWorks, Inc., http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/
There is no lab during the first week of class.
Attendance
90% of success is showing up. Absence is a detriment to your overall performance. In-class assignments and quizzes will be given periodically and unannounced to encourage attendance. There is no make-up exam or quiz for oversleeping.
Student Competency Clause
A student may be asked by a lab instructor or the course instructor to demonstrate a level of competency that is contained in any assignment completed by the student. It is possible to receive no credit for an assignment if a student is unable to demonstrate a level of competency contained in a completed assignment.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is claiming, indicating, or implying that the ideas, sentences, or words of another writer are your own. Plagiarism includes having another writer do work claimed to be your own, copying the work of another and presenting it as your own, or following the work of another as a guide to ideas and expression that are then presented as your own. Any work plagiarized by a student will receive no credit (zero points). Plagiarism is considered academic misconduct.
Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned nor tolerated at Tulsa University. Academic dishonesty is behavior in which a deliberately fraudulent misrepresentation is employed in an attempt to gain undeserved intellectual credit, either for oneself or for another. Academic violations could result in no credit for an assignment, quiz, or exam; a failing grade for the course, or dismissal from the University. Deliberate misuse of the computing facilities falls under the heading of Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct. Examples of computing resource misuse includes but is not limited to the following: downloading or accessing information that is not used for academic purposes, copyright infringements, downloading or accessing illegal materials, personal business transactions for profit, malicious computer attacks designed to disrupt general computer activities, etc. See the University of Tulsa Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.
Student Etiquette
Students are expected to be attentive during class and not disrupt the learning process. Everyone is encouraged to participate in class discussions as directed by the instructor. Students are also encouraged to ask the instructor questions about the course material. Here is a list of activities that can disrupt the learning process:
· Forgetting to turn-off your cell phone during lecture, quiz, or exam time.
· Habitual tardiness.
· Leaving and re-entering the classroom during lecture, quiz or exam time.
· Engaging in conversation not relevant to the classroom activities.
Exams will have assigned seating as directed by the course instructor. Any refusal to abide by the policies outlined in this document could result in any of the following: no credit for an assignment, a failing grade for the course, or dismissal from the university.
Tentative Schedule of Activities
The instructor may change the assignment schedule at any time by verbal or written notification in class and posted on the course web site. Important dates:
First Quiz / Thursday, September 11First Hour Exam / Thursday, September 25
Second Hour Exam / Tuesday October 28
Third Hour Exam / Thursday, Dec. 11 @ 9:00am
*The third exam will be kept on file for a period of one year and will not be available to students.
Confidential Information
Grades will be posted using Web Advisor at the end of the semester after all exams, labs, projects, and assignments are graded. Point totals may be periodically posted using WebCT. No confidential information will be sent through the e-mail or given over the phone. All requests for grades by e-mail or phone will be denied. Be sure to check the web site for further information about grades. Avoid sending e-mails with attachments. You must make prior arrangements to send the instructor an e-mail message containing an attachment.
Topics
· Computer Technology
· Measuring Computing Performance
· Base-n number conversions
· Matrix Arithmetic
· Programming Concepts using Matlab
o Modularization with Scripts and Functions
o Branching by Decision Making
o Iteration with Loops
o Recursion
· Basic Concepts of Numerical Analysis
o Algorithm Complexity
o Error Analysis
o The Finite Difference Method