CSE/MATH 455: Introduction to Numerical Analysis

Fall 1996, MWF 10:10-11:00

FINAL EXAM: Tues 12/10 4:40-6:30 115 McAllister

REVIEW SESSION: Monday 12/9 12:00-?? 319 McAllister

Instructor: Douglas N. Arnold

Contact info: 319 McAllister Building, telephone: 865-0246, email:  dna@psu.edu

Office hours: 11:00-12:00 MWF; available at other times by appointment.

WWW Page: http://www.math.psu.edu/dna/455.html

HOMEWORK, LABS, AND EXAMS

PROGRAMS DISCUSSED IN THE COURSE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Two disasters caused by computer arithmetic errors

Textbook: An Introduction to Numerical Analysis, second edition, by K. Atkinson. John Wiley & Sons, 1989, ISBN 0-471-62489-6.

Course objectives: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the techniques and concepts of modern numerical analysis. The course may be taken alone to provide an introduction to the ideas of numerical analysis in the context of the simplest problems of analysis and algebra, or,the student may continue with CSE/MATH 456 for a more complete introduction and some more advanced applications. Numerical analysis is the study of algorithms for computing numerical answers to mathematical problems. We shall investigate algorithms for a variety of basic problems, studying their reliability, efficiency, and computer implementation. In comparison to 455 and 456, the course CSE/MATH 451 is more of an overview of numerical algorithms, with less emphasis on analysis of the algorithms. (Credit will not be given for both 451 and 455.)

Classroom and lab: On Mondays and Wednesdays the class will meet in 115 McAllister, the McAllister Technology Classroom. This room is equipped an X-windows terminal connected to a high quality projection system, so that computer demonstrations can be included in the class time. On Fridays we will meet in the High Performance Computing Classroom in 215 Osmond. This room contains X-windows terminals for all the students, and at least part of most Friday classes will be devoted to guided computer explorations.

Prerequisites: Single variable and multivariable calculus; matrix algebra, and a working knowledge of computer programming.The main computer languages used will be FORTRAN and Matlab. Other languages may be acceptable as well.

Grading: There will be two midterm exams, each worth 20% of the grade, a final exam worth 25%, and homework assignments worth 35%. The homework will include both theoretical problems and computer projects.

Course topics:

These topics correspond roughly to chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 of the text.


Relevant links


Last modified December 6, 1996 by Douglas N. Arnold, dna@psu.edu