Introduction to Scientific Computing

Scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer scientists use continuous models to describe everything from the ringing of bells to the evolution of animal populations to the relationships between web pages. We turn to computers to help us analyze all but the simplest such models; but how can an inherently discrete device such as a computer solve continuous problems quickly and reliably? This is the fundamental question we will address in CS/ENGRD 3220: Introduction to Scientific Computing.

In this one-semester survey course, we introduce numerical methods for solving linear and nonlinear equations, interpolating data, computing integrals, and solving differential equations, and we describe how to use these tools wisely (we hope!) when solving scientific problems.

See the syllabus for more information on course logistics.

Announcements

• HW 7 may be submitted in lecture, but you may also submit a PDF via CMS by midnight.
• The final exam room assignments are ready! Our final is Mon, May 14, 9:00-11:30 AM in Olin 255
• For the last two weeks of class, Amanda's office hours will be 12:30-2:20 rather than 12:00-2:00.
• HW 7 is due Wed, May 2 by in lecture. Supporting script: chebode.
• HW 6 is due Wed, Apr 25 by CMS and in lecture. Supporting scripts: frecorder, hw6simpson.
• Based on what I've seen on Piazza over the weekend, the project 3 deadline has been moved back by one day, to Tuesday at 11:59. The late deadline (for 10% penalty) is Thursday at 11:59. Please note that I have office hours on Tuesday and Thursday, 11-12, and Asher has office hours on Wednesday.
• Proj 3 is due 11:59 on Mon, Apr 16. You should probably plan to work in groups of two.
• Practice prelim 2 is available.
• HW 5 is due Mon, Apr 2 by CMS.
• Note: I have corrected the prompt to remove the second question in section 2.3. I have also added a CMS entry for the project. You should submit code via CMS, but you may submit the report either via CMS or as a hard copy (though I recommend the latter).
• Proj 2 is due 11:59 on Fri, Mar 16. You may work in teams of two if you wish. The prompt refers to the following data file and scripts: blurry.png, p2setup.m, p2runner.m, and p2image.m.
• HW 4 is due Wed, Mar 7 in class. hw4A.txt and hw4b.txt.
• Some notes on prelim 1 coverage are available.
• Practice prelim 1 is available.
• Proj 1 is due 11:59 pm on Mon, Feb 20. You may work in teams of two if you wish. You may use the following data file and loader to run basic tests: glinkW.txt and load_glinkW.m.
• HW 3 is due Mon, Feb 13 in class.
• HW 2 is due Wed, Feb 8 in class and on CMS.
• A few CS undergraduates are holding a LaTeX tutorial on Tuesday at 6:30 pm in Hollister B14. May be handy for those of you who prefer to type up your notes and assignments.
• An Octave version of the tester for HW 1, p2 is available for those of you who would rather install Octave than go to the labs for access to the symbolic toolbox.
• HW 1 is due Wed, Feb 1 in class and on CMS. I've also posted a variable-precision arithmetic tester for problem 2.
• Welcome to CS/ENGRD 3220! Watch here for important course announcements.