Math 426 – Introduction to Mathematical Software Packages: Matlab

Winter 2022 – Carlos Barajas

Basic Information

  • Instructor: Carlos Barajas, e-mail barajasc@umbc.edu, office Hours 4:10pm to 5:10pm or by appointment.
  • Teaching Assistant: Michelle Ramsahoye, e-mail m210@umbc.edu
  • Time and location of classes: Math 426 is a 2-credit four-week course, scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, 01:00–04:10 p.m., January 04, 2022 to January 27, 2022. See the detailed schedule below for the exact meeting dates.
  • Due to COVID19, this course is entirely online. We will use Discord (https://discord.com/) for all class based communications and Blackboard for grade maintenance.Create an account and please install the standalone client for easy of use. You may use it in your browser by it will less convenient to do so. An invite to the class server will be sent out prior to the first class meeting. If you have any concerns about any of these items, such as concerns about adequate internet connection, about team work, or special needs related to learning styles, please reach out to me as soon as possible, so I can clarify questions and/or we can work out alternate appropriate approaches and metrics.
    Please note that all lectures will also be recorded and posted for private viewing.
  • Course Web Page: http://circ.umbc.edu/outreach/software-packages/math426winter22/
  • This course will be taught in a flipped classroom format. This means that the contents is delivered asynchronously online by taped videos of my lectures that you study before our synchronous class meetings.
  • Synchronous class meetings: Our synchronous class meetings are an opportunity for active teamwork with your fellow students, while the instructor is available immediately for questions. These meetings will take place in Discord. This and the other strategies above are designed to foster student engagement as well as give you chances to participate more actively, get to know each other better, have a demonstrated record of using the tools of online learning, and more.
  • 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 rules: 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. Late assignments are not accepted without permission.
    Letter grades for the course will be decided using the following:
    Score above 90% 80% 70% 60% otherwise
    Letter grade A B C D F
  • Please see this webpage for UMBC Syllabus Language for Equity and Inclusion.
  • Please see this Google doc for UMBC Policies and Resources during COVID-19.

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 Tue 01/04/21 A Tutorial Introduction to Matlab 1, 2, 3
2 Thu 01/06/21 Matrix Algebra in Matlab 4, 5
3 Tue 01/11/21 An Introduction to Matlab Programming 6, 7
4 Thu 01/13/21 Matlab Programming: Input and Output 13
5 Tue 01/18/21 Intermediate Matlab Programming 10
6 Thu 01/20/21 3D Graphics in Matlab 8, 17
7 Tue 01/25/21 Effective Programming and Data Types in Matlab 14, 16, 18, 23, 24
8 Thu 01/27/21 Numerical Methods in Matlab 11, 12

Note on Recordings and Their Publication

This class is being audio-visually recorded so students who cannot attend a particular session and wish to review material can access the full content. This recording will include students’ images, profile images, and spoken words, if their camera is engaged and their microphone is live. Students who do not consent to have their profile or video image recorded should keep their camera off and not use a profile image. Likewise, students who do not consent to have their voice recorded should keep their mute button activated and participate exclusively through alternative formats such as email or the chat feature (where available).

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’s 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. Consult the the UMBC webpage on Academic Integtrity at academicconduct.umbc.edu for the UMBC Undergraduate Student Academic Conduct Policy for undergraduate students and the UMBC Graduate School’s Policy and Procedures for Student Academic Misconduct for graduate students.

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