GNE 160 - Computing Methods for Engineers and Physical Scientists

Spring 2012
(3 credits)

Lecture: MW 8:25-9:20 am in 145 Baker
Laboratory: Section 1: Th 1:00-3:00 pm in 314 Baker
Laboratory: Section 2: F 1:00-3:00 pm in 309 Baker

Prerequisites: none

Instructor:
Dr. Gary M. Scott
205 Walters Hall
Phone: x6501
Office Hrs: by appointment
Email: gscott@esf.edu
Teaching Assistants:
Ms. Qiong (Gina) Song
~~~~~~Email: qisong@syr.edu

Mr. Rakesh Yasarla
~~~~~~Email: layasarl@syr.edu

Catalog Description

Introduction to algorithm design, programming structures, and data structures. Engineering calculation software including programming languages, spreadsheets, and simulation software. Application of computing methods to engineering problems and data analysis.

General Course Information

GNE 160 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.

Computer and Information Technology
1. General computer knowledge and skills (how to turn it on, how to start applications, how to log in to laboratory computers...)
2. Internet (how to access the internet, find web pages, search the web, ...)
3. Email (how to use your student account, send and receive messages, attachments...)
4. Word processor (how to prepare documents, format and print them ...)
5. Document preparation (how to create PDF files from electronic and hard copies, ...)
6. Spreadsheets (how to enter data, perform simple calculations...)
7. How to use your calculator (basic functions, using the memories, creating graphs, editing entries...)
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 previously. After completing this course, the student should be able to:

Design structured algorithms using systematic problem solving techniques;
Implement their algorithm in a high-level programming language (e.g., Matlab, Visual Basic) and a programmable calculator language;
Solve problems using spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) and other software (e.g., Mathcad);
Properly document their solutions to problems both internally and externally.
Properly choose the appropriate software tool to solve a problem.

Relation to Curricula:

GNE 160 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.

Required Textbook:

Engineering Computations: An Introduction using Matlab and Excel Joseph C. Musto, William E. Howard, and Richard R. Williams, McGraw Hill Higher Education, Boston (2009).

Student Information

Students can access course information for GNE 160 through the Blackboard@SU system. Log in with your student ID and password. Help with Blackboard@SU is available here.