MTH 351: Introduction to Numerical Analysis
Spring 2019

Professor

Dr. Vrushali Bokil
Office: Kidder 048
Office Hours:M: 2:30-3:20pm, W: 10:00 am -10:50 am and by Appt.
Email:Click to email: bokilv at math dot oregonstate dot edu
Note: Outside of class and office hours, questions should be addressed via email. Emails will be answered during working hours between 9am-5pm. Depending on my schedule, emails may not get answered the same day. So please allow 24 hours for a response.


Course Information

Time/Classroom: MWF 9:00-9:50 pm, BEXL 328

Registration Details: CRN: 55927, Section: 002

Prerequisites: MTH 253[C-] or MTH 306[C-] or MTH306H[C-] and programming experience. Experience with MATLAB is a plus. Please contact me to discuss your background if you do not have the necessary prerequisites.

Required Textbook :
Elementary Numerical Analysis, 3rd Edition by Kendall Atkinson and Weimin Han [AH].

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the subject of Numerical Analysis. The underlying themes of this subject are the approximation of problems of continuous mathematics by simpler problems, the construction of algorithms, iteration methods, error analysis, stability, asymptotic error formulas, and the effects of computer arithmetic. The topics that we will consider are solutions of linear and nonlinear equations, interpolation and approximation, and numerical integration and differentiation. We will study approximate solutions to mathematical problems for which an analytical (or exact) form of the solution cannot be found, and introduce several methods of computing such approximations. The analysis of errors that are inevitably introduced in these approximate methods will also be an important part of this course. We will cover topics from Chapters 1-5 from the class text [AH]. If time permits we will also touch upon some sections of Chapter 6 on iterative methods for linear systems and Chapter 7, in particular Sec 7.1 on least squares data fitting.


My Links:

Canvas
Calendar for Math 351
Handouts from Professor Bokil
Lectures: [AH] Authors
MATLAB Resources
Professor Bokil's Homepage
Department of Mathematics
Oregon State University

Learning Outcomes: Students completing Math 351 will be able to:

  • Obtain an intuitive and working understanding of some well-known numerical methods for the basic problems of numerical analysis, as mentioned in the course description above, and apply these methods to solve a variety of problems of continuous mathematics. Understand advantages and disadvantages of various methods.
  • Analyze numerical methods to determine properties of error and convergence. Gain some appreciation of the concept of error and the need to analyze and predict it.
  • Develop some experience in the implementation of numerical methods by using a computer, including an understanding of computer arithmetic and its effects. More specifically, utilize MATLAB codes to understand the performance of methods.

Reading Assignments: Look at the Calendar for sections that will be covered in class for each lecture. Reading material will be assigned in class. NOTE: While it may not be stated explicitly each day, students are expected to read each section to be covered before class. Questions not addressed during class time should be asked in office hours. Students are responsible for any material missed due to absence. Also note that, since this is a three credit course, students are expected to work atleast 2-3 hours individually for every class meeting. Thus, each student should be spending atleast 6-9 hours each week on this course.

Attendance: All students are expected to attend class. Success in this course will depend on your attendance and participation in class activities. Homework assignments are due in class and have to be turned in by each individual student themselves. If you do not attend class when an assignment is due and turn in your homework yourself (exceptions will be made for those students who contact Dr. Bokil and provide documentation for an excused absence), that homework will not count towards your grade.

MATLAB The programming language for this course is MATLAB. If you have not used this language before you will have time to understand the basics of MATLAB during the first few weeks of classes. A number of different introductory tutorials are available on my website. The textbook presents an introduction to MATLAB in Appendix D; and the programs in the text serve as further examples. Students are encouraged to modify these programs and to use them as models for writing their own MATLAB programs. Look at MATLAB resources for more help.


Course Grading

  • Worksheets (10%): Occasionally short worksheets will be handed out in class, and you will be asked to complete these and turn them in during the next class meeting. These worksheets will be brief and may require a half hour or less time to complete.

  • Written Assignments (15%): There will be approximately five-eight written assignments this term. Due dates/times will be posted on the Course Calendar. You will be given a week to complete each written assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted and will not receive any credit. Written assignments will be based on problems from the text. Students must complete assignments individually. Please see student ethical conduct and policies below. Assignments will be posted on the Course Calendar, and will be due in class. Students should get their questions asked during office hours or via email. Students are encouraged to get their questions answered in a timely manner. I will not answer any homework questions sent via email after 5pm the day before an assignment is due.

  • Computational Assignments (15%): There will be approximately five-eight computational assignments this term, which will comprise writing code in MATLAB. Due dates/times will be posted on the Course Calendar. Late assignments will not be accepted and will not receive any credit. Students must complete computational assignments individually, in particular MATLAB code must be written by each individual!Please see student ethical conduct and policies below. A HARDCOPY of the relevant output must be turned in class along with detailed explanations of solutions and supporting plots. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL YOUR CODE either to me or the grader for this course. Computational assignments will be posted on Canvas. Students should get their questions asked during office hours or via email. Students are encouraged to get their questions answered in a timely manner. I will not answer any homework questions sent via email after 5pm the day before an assignment is due.

  • Midterm (25%): A 50 minute exam will be given Monday May 6, 2019 in BEXL 328 from 9:00-9:50 am (during the usual class hour). Exam problems will be based on class lecture notes, problems covered in lectures, worksheets and problems similar to those assigned as homework. Books, notes, or graphing/programmable calculators will NOT be allowed on exams. You will be allowed the following
    1. A simple (non-programmable, non-graphing) scientific calculator.
    2. pen or pencil.
    Absence from the midterm gives a score of 0 for the midterm.

  • Final (35%): A comprehensive final exam will be given on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 9:30 am in BEXL 328 . The Final is a 110 minute long exam. Exam problems will be based on class lecture notes, and problems similar to those from the test bank. Books, notes, or graphing/programmable calculators will NOT be allowed on exams. You will be allowed the following
    1. One 3x5 index card, both sides.
    2. A simple (non-programmable, non-graphing) scientific calculator.
    3. pen or pencil.
    This date and time is set by OSU. Scheduling conflicts with the final exam must be resolved in advance. The Final Exam will be comprehensive. Books, notes, or graphing/programmable calculators will NOT be allowed on the final exam. An unexcused absence (i.e one that is not reported to Dr. Bokil with proper documentation) on the Final Exam will result in a grade of F in the course.

Course Grade Scale: The Grade for the course is determined by the grade on worksheets, the written and computational homework assignments, the midterm and final. Each letter grade below corresponds to grades scored between the lower limit (including) and less than the upper limit (excluding).
A 90 - 100%
A- 87 - 90%
B+ 84 - 87%
B 80 - 84%
B- 77 - 80%
C+ 74 - 77%
C 70 - 74%
C- 67 - 70%
D+ 64 - 67%
D 60 - 64%
D- 57 - 60%
F below 57%


Class Details and Announcements:

Students should check this class website and the Canvas classpage for general information, announcements, assignments, due dates, exam dates and other policies regarding the class.

  • Makeup policy:
    • Makeup Policy for Worksheets and Assignments: There will be no makeups given in general. Exceptions can be made by reporting issues to Dr. Bokil. Proper documentation will be needed in order to grant a makeup. Dr. Bokil reserves the right to make all decisions in this regard.
    • Makeup Policy for Midterm Exam: There will be no makeup given for the midterms without prior request, approval and arrangement with Professor Bokil. If you have an emergency, illness and/or hospitalization or are unable to take the midterm due to work related reasons, please email Dr. Bokil in advance of the exam. Proper documentation will be needed in order to grant a makeup. Dr. Bokil reserves the right to make all decsions in this regard.
    • Makeup Policy for Final Exam: There will be no makeup exams given without prior request, approval and arrangement with Dr. Bokil. Scheduling conflicts with the final exam must be resolved in advance with Dr. Bokil. Dr. Bokil reserves the right to make all decsions in this regard based on the university guidelines Student Petitions (AR 16: Finals Week) to Change the Time of a Final Examination.

  • Getting Help: Short questions can be asked during class. Longer questions should be asked during regular office hours. Appointments can also be made at other times, and you can reach me by email. Help for prerequisite material (MTH 256, MTH 341) is available at the Mathematics & Statistics Learning Center (MSLC) which provides drop-in help for all lower division mathematics courses. The MLC is located on the ground floor of Kidder Hall (Kidder 108), and is normally open M-F from 9 AM to 4 PM, from the second week of term through Dead Week (Week 10). Additional resources for prerequisite material can be found at the Get Help in Your OSU Math Classes site.

  • Contacting Dr. Bokil: The best way to contact me is via email. Best place/time to see me for questions is in my office during office hours. If you are unable to make it to office hours you may email your questions to me or setup an appointment by email. You can expect a response within 24 hours. Do not expect an immediate response .

  • Student Ethical Conduct Expectations and Policies: Students are expected to be familiar with Oregon State University’s Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct. Please review this statement as well as review and consult material at the following sites.

  • Technology Policy & Unauthorized recording and use Policy: I expect that each student will be present and engaged during class time. Please refrain from using cell phones or other electronic devices in the classroom out of respect for your classmates and your instructor. If you choose to take notes or access readings via your computer during class please first request permission from Dr. Bokil. If permission is granted, I expect that you will refrain from surfing the web, reading email, and engaging in other activities not related to the class.

    Recording and/or dissemination of instructional content (for example using the camera on your cell phones) is prohibited, unless express permission of the instructor is obtained for an approved accommodation coordinated via Disability Access Services.

  • Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities: Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at Disability Access Services. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.

  • Student Evaluation of Courses: The online Student Evaluation of Teaching system opens to students the Monday of dead week and closes the Monday following the end of finals. Students will receive notification, instructions and the link through their ONID. They may also log into the system via Online Services. Course evaluation results are extremely important and used to help improve courses and the learning experience of future students. Responses are anonymous (unless a student chooses to “sign” their comments agreeing to relinquish anonymity) and unavailable to instructors until after grades have been posted. The results of scaled questions and signed comments go to both the instructor and their unit head/supervisor. Anonymous (unsigned) comments go to the instructor only.

  • Course Drop/Add and Other Informational Sites: See