MATH 405 - Numerical Analysis

Class Syllabus - Spring 2008

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Course Description:   This course is an introduction to numerical approximation techniques and theory.  Topics may include equation solving methods, interpolation and polynomial approximation, numerical differentiation and integration, initial value problems for ODEs, solving linear systems, iterative techniques for matrix algebra, least squares approximation, and the fast Fourier transform.  Although some programming will be required, the emphasis will be on the mathematical understanding, application, and analysis of the algorithms and in particular on error analysis.  In order to increase the likelihood of success in this course it is recommended that the student attend class without fail, focus on understanding the concepts (not just doing rote computations or trying to memorize everything), read the textbook, religiously work the homework, and seek help from the professor when needed.  (3 Semester Hours) 

Prerequisites:  MATH 343 - Linear Algebra; MATH 361 - Calculus III; and CMSC 160 - Introduction to Algorithmic Design I (or equivalent). 

Professor:  Dr. M. Leigh Lunsford.  For Dr. Lunsford's office location, phone number, email address, schedule (including office hours), and other general information, go to her homepage:  http://www.mathspace.com/Lunsford/

Meeting Times and Location:  TR 2:00-3:15 pm, Ruffner G56

Course Textbook, Textbook CD-ROM, & Textbook Website:   Numerical Analysis, 8th Edition, Richard L. Burden and J. Douglas Faires, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company (2005), ISBN-13: 978-0-534-39200-0, ISBN-10: 0-534-39200-8 bundled with a student version of Maple 11.  Also available (but not required for the course) is a Student Study Guide.  Chapters 1 and 2 of the Student Study Guide are contained on the textbook website.  The textbook website also contains the code (in several languages) for the algorithms used in the text.

Required and Recommended Technology/Computer Configurations: 

• A TI-83 Plus graphing calculator (or equivalent) is required for this course.  If you do not use the TI-83 then you will be responsible for knowing how to use your particular calculator.   You may not use a calculator with symbolic calculus capability.

• It is practically impossible to have too many good software tools at your disposal!  It is particularly nice to have a computer algebra system available such as Derive (available in Ruffner G56) or Maple (one of my favorite mathematical packages!).  We will be using Maple in class.    

• It will be required for you to turn in typed technical documents in this class.  Thus you should have the Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent) installed on your machine.  In particular you should know how to use the equation editor in Word (I personally recommend obtaining the MathType equation editor as a supplement to the equation editor).  You may also want to have the Data Analysis Add-in activated in Excel (if it is not already on your machine then this should be on your Excel or Microsoft Office installation CD or the Longwood IT department). 

Determination of Course Grade:

 7% -  Mathematics Cultural Points (cults)

31% - Mid-Term Exam

31% - Quizzes/Hand-In Homework

31% - Comprehensive Final Exam

Grades will be assigned on a ten point scale (90's A; 80's B; 70's C; 60's D; 50's and below F).

Mathematics Cultural Points (cults):  In order to receive the full 7% credit for mathematics cultural points you must earn at least 10 cults.  To determine how to earn cults please click here.  Any cults that you submit as a write-up to a planned event (e.g., a colloquium), must be received no later than 2 class days after the event occurs.  All cults must be completed by the last day of class.  Please see me ASAP if you think you are going to have difficulty in obtaining cults.

Homework:   Your homework assignments will be given on the Assignments page of this website.  You will have two types of homework:  Practice homework and Hand-In Homework. 

Practice Homework:  I will mostly assign practice homework.  Just like with anything else worthwhile in life, one must practice to become proficient at mathematics.  After I have finished covering a section, you should endeavor to work all practice problems assigned from that section before the next class period.  If you cannot work all but 1 or 2 of your homework problems then you need to see me for help before the next class period!  I encourage you to work together on your practice homework.  Many of the problems on your quizzes will be based on your practice homework.

Hand-In Homework:  During the semester you will be assigned problems to hand in.  Some of these problems may be allowed to be worked on by students in groups of two (only turn in one copy of your solution).  Others will be specified as individual work.  Hand-In work is expected to be exemplary.  Not only does this include the mathematics but it also includes how well you explain your approach to the problem(s), the solution(s), and any conclusions reached.  Please see the Handy Documents page for an example of what I expect for hand-in homework.  I highly recommend that you look at this document before you hand in any homework.  Late hand-in homework will not be accepted, period.  

Quizzes:   Approximately every two weeks a short quiz will be given.  The quizzes will be given outside of class and will be either administered by me (during my office hours) or by the departmental secretary during select times.  You are expected to stay on the 3rd floor of Ruffner Hall to work the quizzes.  These quizzes will be based on your practice homework assignments and our class discussions.  Occasionally an assignment to be completed outside will count as a quiz (such as filling in the details to an example given in class).   I will try to give at least one class period notice for an in class quiz (please see the Assignments page for the latest information on quiz dates).  Once a quiz has been graded and returned to the students, there will be no make-ups for that quiz, period.  Thus, contact me ASAP if you have an excused absence and need to make up a quiz.  All quizzes must be pledged.  Please see the make-up policy below for additional information.

Mid-Term Exam:  I will give at least a one week notice will be given for the mid-term exam date.  The mid-term exam will be given outside of class and will be either administered by me (during my office hours) or by the departmental secretary during select times.  You are expected to stay on the 3rd floor of Ruffner Hall to work the quizzes. 

Final Exam:  The final exam for this course will be comprehensive.  The final exam will be given in-class.  You cannot miss the final - failure to take the final exam will automatically result in an F grade for the course.   Please see me as soon as possible if you may have a conflict with the final exam date.

Final Exam Dates:  Monday, April 28, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Extra Credit:  Extra Credit will not be given - period.

Honor System:  I expect you (and your possible partner on the Hand-In Homework) to conform to the Longwood University Honor System as contained in the Student Handbook.  All material handed in to me (quizzes, homework, tests) must be pledged.

Attendance & Excused Absences:   You are expected to attend every class.  If you miss classes it will most likely be reflected in your grades (i.e. you will perform poorly).  The following college attendance policy will be followed per the Class Attendance section of the Academic Regulations chapter of the Longwood University Undergraduate Catalog:  Missing 10% of class meetings may result in a lowering of one letter grade.   Missing 25% of class meetings for any reason will result in an automatic “F” for the course.  Absences are excused only for illness, college sponsored activities, and recognizable emergencies.  You must have the proper documentation for an excused absence.  Student Health Services can provide documentation only for students hospitalized locally or absent at the direction of Student Health Services personnel.  You must also assume full responsibility for all material covered during your absence, including scheduling any make-up quizzes or exams.  A grade of "0" will be assigned for all work missed due to unexcused absences.

Make-up Policy:    Make-up assignments will be given only when the reason for missing the assignment meets the criteria for an excused absence (see above).  Except in the case of emergencies, make-up assignments must be scheduled and/or turned-in before the due date of the assignment being made-up (i.e. you should plan ahead if you know you are going to miss class).  As a general rule, you can expect that make-up tests/quizzes will more difficult than regularly scheduled tests.  If you have a recognizable emergency, please contact me as soon as you can to discuss your make-up options.

Class Schedule:  Below is a tentative class schedule.  For a more detailed schedule, including homework assignments, please see the Assignments page.