CS 322: First Day Handout

January 21, 2002

http://www.cs.cornell.edu/Courses/cs322/2002SP

Description: An introduction to elementary numerical analysis and scientific computation. Topics include interpolation, quadrature, linear and nonlinear equation solving, least-squares fitting, and ordinary differential equations. The MATLAB computing environment is used. Vectorization, efficiency, reliability, and stability are stressed.

Prerequisites: You must have completed all four semesters of calculus. Particularly important is matrix algebra as taught in Math 294 or Math 221. We assume a CS 100 level of programming expertise/computer literacy.

Instructor: Professor Charles Van Loan, 4130 Upson Hall, 5-7644, cv@cs.cornell.edu. Office hours are posted at http://www.cs.cornell.edu/chair.

TAs: Suzanne Shontz, Mike Singer, and Steve Chong. Office hours are on the course website.

Sections: Meet once a week to discuss the current section assignments. These assignments are not submitted for grading.

Programming Assignments: Five assignments that involve the Matlab system.  You are allowed to work with a single partner. One submission per group. It is assumed that you understand the CS 322 Academic Integrity Policy as described on the course website. Programs are usually graded within 5-7 days and are returned in lecture. Policies regarding late submissions and regrades are described on the course website.

Exams: There will be two evening  prelims and a final that are tightly coupled to the programming and section assignments.

Grading: Final grade is based on the programming assignments (30%), prelim 1 (20%), prelim 2 (20%), and the final (30%).

Text: Introduction to Scientific Computing: A Matrix-Vector Approach based on Matlab (Second Edition) by Charles Van Loan. Note: the First Edition will not work for the course.

Software: Matlab is available on all public labs. The CS undergraduate lab is NOT a designated CS 322 lab. Book codes are available off the course website. You can buy the student edition of Matlab 6 in the campus store. See also http://www.mathworks.com.