The first book has been listed as a recommended text in the Bookstore, and
provides a good introduction to Matlab as well as many of the topics we will
be covering in the course.
The second book is becoming a classical text on numerical analysis, and
provides excellent descriptions of much of the theory underlying the techniques
we will be using. Unfortunately this book is out of print.
You may be able to purchase used copies from juniors and seniors, or at
a used bookstore on the web (ISBN=0136272584). A good comparison shopping
website is www.bestbookbuys.com. The third text is a
postscript document which can be downloaded to your directory and printed
out free. It provides a summary of Matlab commands, their syntax, and
their uses. It is based on an earlier version of Matlab, though, so some of
the higher level commands have been changed a bit.
The fifth edition is available for a fee through CRC Press here. In addition
to these texts, a hard copy of the online course notes may be purchased from
the copy shop, and serves as the primary reference for the course.
Course Outline
Introduction to numerical computation.
Representing numbers.
Linear equations.
Nonlinear equations.
Optimization
Statistics and data analysis.
Quadrature.
First-order ordinary differential equations.
Higher-order ordinary differential equations.
Eigenvalue problems.
Grading
The course will involve extensive out-of-class problem solving. The
purpose of the homework is to enhance the acquisition of problem solving
skills, and to accelerate the learning of the computer environment.
There will be two hour examinations, and a final exam with both an in-class
and independent project component. The in-class component basically serves
as a third hour examination which covers material in the last three topics.