Math 426 – Introduction to Mathematical Software Packages: Matlab

Winter 2020 – Carlos Barajas

Basic Information

  • Instructor: Carlos Barajas
    E-mail: barajasc@umbc.edu
    Office Hours: MonWedFri 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. in Math Lounge MP 422
  • Time and location of classes: Math 426 is a 2-credit four-week course, scheduled for MonWedFri 01:00 p.m. – 04:10 p.m. in ENGR 122 See the detailed schedule below for the exact meeting dates,
  • Course Web Page: http://circ.umbc.edu/outreach/software-packages/math426winter20/
  • Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in Math 152, Math 221, CMSC 201, or instructor approval.
  • Recommended Textbook: Desmond J. Higham and Nicholas J. Higham, Matlab Guide, third edition, SIAM, 2017. Webpage of the book including list of errors
  • Grading policy: Your grade in this course will be based on your performance in the computational/programming assignments which you will be doing in this course. You will do eight assignments, from which the best seven will be counted. There may be extra credit opportunities.
    Letter grades for the course will be decided using the following:
    Score above 90% 80% 65% 50% otherwise
    Letter grade A B C D F

    Please note that the syllabus is subject to change by announcement.


Learning Goals

Upon completion of this class you should

  • be able to use Matlab’s extensive linear algebra capabilities,
  • be able to program in Matlab efficiently,
  • be aware of the flexible file I/O capabilities provided in Matlab,
  • know how to utilize the extensive 2D and 3D graphics capabilities in Matlab,
  • know how to use Matlab specific programming features such as logical subscripting and vectorization,
  • be aware of the great number of built-in numerical methods in Matlab,
  • be able to produce presentable Matlab output.

List of the Topics Covered

The first half of each class will be used to present new material. The second half of class will be for working on the assignments, with the opportunity to ask the instructor for help.

Lecture Day Date Main Topic(s) Chapter(s)
1 Fri 01/03/20 A Tutorial Introduction to Matlab 1, 2, 3
2 Mon 01/06/20 Matrix Algebra in Matlab 4, 5
3 Wed 01/08/20 An Introduction to Matlab Programming 6, 7
4 Fri 01/10/20 Matlab Programming: Input and Output 13
5 Mon 01/13/20 Intermediate Matlab Programming 10
6 Wed 01/15/20 3D Graphics in Matlab 8, 17
7 Fri 01/17/20 Effective Programming and Data Types in Matlab 14, 16, 18, 23, 24
Mon 01/20/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
8 Wed 01/22/20 Numerical Methods in Matlab 11, 12
Makeup Fri 01/24/20 This will be used to makeup a cancelled class

UMBC Statement of Values for Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is an important value at UMBC. By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, the UMBC webpage on Academic Integtrity at https://aetp.umbc.edu/ai, the UMBC Undergraduate Student Academic Conduct Policy (PDF) for undergraduate students, or the UMBC Graduate School Policy and Procedures for Student Academic Misconduct (PDF) for graduate students.

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