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APM 153 - Computing Methods for Engineers and Physical Scientists

Spring 2006 (3 credits) Lecture: MW 8:25-9:20 am in 139 Baker Workshop: F 8:25-9:20 am in 149 Baker et al Prerequisites: none

Instructor: Dr. Joseph Cornell B5 Marshall Hall Phone: 470-4786 Office Hours: MWF 10:30-4:00, Tu 10:30-5:00 Email: jcornell@esf.edu	Teaching Assistant: Ms. Shiuli Mahud 427/429 Walters Hall Phone: 664-2849 Office Hours: W 9:30-11:30 (149 Baker) Email: smahmud@syr.edu
Teaching Assistant: Mr. Sharad Singh 309 Walters Hall Phone: 315-559-6837 Office Hours: Th 10:00-12:00 (156 Baker) Email: sksingh@syr.edu	Teaching Assistant: Ms. Marilyn Markwei 413 Walters Hall Phone: 470-6519 Office Hours: M 9:30-11:30 (143 Baker) Email: mmmarkwe@syr.edu

Catalog Description

Introduction to programming structures: flowcharts, language statements, and subprograms. Introduction to data structures: arrays, scalars, and others. Introduction to data codes: numbers and characters, 'natural' and binary. Introduction to algorithms at the procedural level.

General Course Information

APM 153 is a computer-based course in mathematics and problem-solving. The most important skill to be learned in this course is algorithm design. An algorithm is a step-by-step set of instructions used to solve a problem or to write a computer program. The course teaches you how to develop algorithms to solve increasingly sophisticated problems in mathematics and engineering and to convert your algorithms into programs in MathCad, Matlab, Excel, and Visual Basic. The goals of the course are to (1) help you develop new skills in mathematics, computer science, and problem-solving, (2) to increase your confidence in your ability to use mathematics and computers, and (3) to prepare you for subsequent coursework at ESF which will rely upon the computer and mathematics skills taught in this course.

Expected Background

Although this course has no prerequisites, a certain amount of background knowledge is expected for this course. Specifically, each student should have a passing knowledge in the areas listed below. An evening lecture will be given the first week of class to answer questions on these topics for students that wish or need to review them.

1. Computer and Information Technology
   1. General computer knowledge and skills (how to turn it on, how to start applications...)
   2. Internet (how to access the internet, find web pages, search the web, ...)
   3. Email (how to use your Sunix account, send and receive messages, attachments...)
   4. Word processor (how to prepare documents, format and print them ...)
   5. Spreadsheets (how to enter data, perform simple calculations...)
   6. How to use your calculator (basic functions, using the memories, creating graphs, editing entries...)
2. Mathematics
   1. Mathematical computation and order of precedence (which comes first, multiplication or addition)
   2. Basic algebra and trigonometry (how to solve for a variable, basic functions, logarithms)
   3. Solving systems of linear equations (solve a 3 equation system by hand...)
   4. Matrix algebra (add, multiply, transpose, and invert matrices)

Course Outcomes:

Every course that a student takes should further his knowledge, building on what was learned By the end of this course, each student should be able:

1. To design algorithms to solve problems in mathematics and logic;
2. To convert algorithms into a program in Matlab, Excel, Visual Basic, or MathCad;
3. To properly document your solution;

Relation to Curriculum Outcomes:

APM 153 is a freshman level course intended to be taken during your first year of college at ESF. The skills that are learned in this class will help with the problem solving that occurs in many of your subsequent engineering classes. This class also supports the Program Learning Outcomes in your respective programs. Specifically, this class addresses the following published learning outcomes for Paper Science and Engineering:

1. a sound knowledge of science and { engineering as applied to paper science and engineering;
2. the ability to conceptualize problems in terms of unifying principles, design and conduct experiments, and analyze and interpret data;
5. well-developed written and oral { communication skills;
7. understand the professional and ethical responsibility of an engineer.

2. sufficient backgrounds/tools to function effectively;
3. the ability to conceptualize problems in terms of unifying principles;
4. capable of utilizing an engineering approach to problem solving;
5. communicate their ideas and expectations effectively;
6. exhibit the following attributes of a competent engineer:
   1. Knowledge---both in understanding basic principles and in creativity in problem solving;
   2. Skills---originality and method of problem solving;
   3. Attitude---professional ethics, self-discipline, and perseverance

Required Textbook:

MATLAB Programming for Engineers, Third Edition by Stephen J. Chapman (Brooks Cole, Thomson Learning, 2004). The text is available from either of the two campus bookstores or through online booksellers such as Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.

Student Information

Exam Data Files

Exam #2

31 March

STREAM1.txt

Assignments and Due Dates

Assignment	Tentative Due Date	PDF file
Assignment #1	27 January	PDF
Assignment #2	3 February	PDF
Assignment #3	10 February	PDF
Assignment #4	24 February	PDF
Assignment #5	3 March	PDF
Assignment #6	10 March	PDF Site1.txt Site2.txt Site3.txt
Assignment #7	24 March	PDF
Assignment #8	31 March	PDF
Assignment #9	14 April	PDF
Assignment #10	28 April	ZIP HTML

Course Handouts

Handout	Date	Files
Course syllabus	17 January	PDF
Lecture Notes 1	18 January	PDF
Lecture Notes 2	20 January	PDF
Lecture Notes 3	23 January	PDF
Lecture Notes 4	25 January	PDF
Lecture Notes 5	30 January	PDF
Lecture Notes 6	1 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 7	6 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 8	8 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 9	13 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 10	15 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 11	20 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 12	22 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 13	27 February	PDF
Lecture Notes 14	1 March	PDF
Lecture Notes 15	6 March	PDF
Lecture Notes 16	8 March	PDF
Lecture Notes 17	20 March	PDF
Lecture Notes 18	22 March	PDF
Lecture Notes 19	27 March	PDF Student_Data.xls
Lecture Notes 21	3 April	PDF
Lecture Notes 22	5 April	PDF
Lecture Notes 24	12 April	ZIP HTML
Lecture Notes 25	17 April	ZIP HTML
Lecture Notes 26	19 April	ZIP HTML
Lecture Notes 27	22 April	PDF
Lecture Notes 28	26 April	PDF

Instructor Feedback

I am continuously looking for constructive feedback regarding this course in order to improve it. If you have a concern, question, or comment regarding the course, please send an email to:

Copyright 2006, Gary M. Scott. All rights reserved.