OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE: To become familiar with the technical issues involved in numerical computing and to learn how to select specific numerical algorithms for particular problems. I pledge to do my best to help you master the subject.

COURSE MATERIAL: Errors in computation, interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, initial value problems for ordinary differential equations, algebraic systems of equations (direct and iterative methods; linear and non-linear systems), approximation theory, boundary value problems and solution of partial differential equations.

READING ASSIGNMENTS: Weekly assignments from the text as indicated in the course outline. Fulfillment of the weekly reading assignments is mandatory.

TERM PROJECT: Students will produce a term paper on a topic of their choice but directly related to the class. A two-page long proposal is due on 3/2/99. Revised proposals, incorporanting your your answers to my comments must be submitted to me via e-mail in the form of plain ASCII text or html files the following week. The final report is due on 4/13/99.

EXAM: One final exam on 4/20/99.

HOMEWORK: Problems will be assigned as homework on a regular basis. Answers will be collected the following week and graded. Students unable to attend class must still submit their homework by the deadline via either Fax or e-mail.

COMPUTER LABORATORY: Sophisticated software for this course is readily available. However, a compiler (often Fortran) is required. Students are expected to develop familiarity not only with basic high level programming (FORTRAN), but also with symbolic manipulation software (Maple) and electronic typesetting (Latex). All students have accounts in the Sun network. In the network students will find all the necessary software for this course.

GRADING: