Math 170B

Syllabus

Updated 1/4/21   The details listed in the syllabus are subject to change during the term.

Course:  Math 170B

Title:  Introduction to Numerical Analysis: Approximation and Nonlinear Equations

Credit Hours:  4

Prerequisite:  Math 170A

Catalog Description:  Rounding and discretization errors. Calculation of roots of polynomials and nonlinear equations. Interpolation. Approximation of functions. Knowledge of programming recommended.

Textbook: D. Kincaid and W. Cheney, Numerical Analysis: Mathematics of Scientific Computing, Third Edition.

Subject Material:  We will cover parts of Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 of the text.

Lecture:  Lectures will be delivered remotely this term.   Check the Canvas site for the course you're enrolled in for zoom links and links to recordings of lectures.   Attending the lecture (or reviewing the recording) is a fundamental part of the course; you are responsible for material presented in the lecture whether or not it is discussed in the textbook.   You should expect questions on the exams that will test your understanding of concepts discussed in the lecture.

Reading:  Reading the sections of the textbook corresponding to the assigned homework exercises is considered part of the homework assignment; you are responsible for material in the assigned reading whether or not it is discussed in the lecture.  It will be expected that you preview the assigned reading in advance of each lecture and carefully read it after the corresponding lecture.

Homework:  All homework is due on Thursdays 11:59pm (Pacific Time) online. Submission is through Gradescope. Late homework will not be accepted. Two lowest scores will be dropped in the end.

Each homework will contain a mix of analytical and programming problems. You are allowed to use any preferred programming languages. Code used in class and provided for homework solutions will be in Matlab.

Programming problem requirements:
1. Describe the method/algorithm used to solve the problem.
2. Discuss the numerical experiments conducted(specify input/output and the parameters used).
3. Report the key observations of the numerical experiments. Provide some analysis (performance, results) and offer a conclusion
4. Use table/graphics to summarize the data/output from experiments to support the analysis and conclusion.
5. Attach the computer program written for the project as supplementary materials.

Note:
a. Please avoid turning in pages of computer output without explanation.
b. Please provide captions to tables, legends for picture/plots.

Exams:   There will be two 50-min midterm exams and one 2-hour final exam given on the days specified in the course calendar. You will be provided a 12-hour window (11am-11pm Pacific Time) within which you can access the exams through Gradescope. There will be no makeup exams.

Regrade Policy:  Your exams will be graded using Gradescope. You will be able to request a regrade via Gradescope for a specified window of time. Be sure to make your request within the specified window of time; no regrade requests will be accepted after the deadline.

Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your cumulative average at the end of the term. The higher score between the following two options will be used to decide letter grades.
Option 1: Homework (35%) + two Midterms (20% + 20%) + Final (25%).
Option 2: Homework (35%) + best Midterm (30%) + Final (35%).
Your letter grade will be determined up to some minor adjustment according to the following scale::

You are guaranteed this scale, that means that your grade will not be worse than specified by the above scale. Your instructor reserves the right to adjust the above scale to be more generous if warranted by the class's performance.

Academic Integrity:  Academic integrity is highly valued at UCSD and academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense. Students involved in an academic integrity violation will face an administrative sanction which may include suspension or, in very serious cases, expulsion from the university. Your integrity has great value: Cultivate and protect your academic integrity. For more about academic integrity and its value, visit the UCSD Academic Integrity Website.