MODERN COMPUTATIONAL METHODS

EGN3203, SUMMER 2016, 3 CREDITS

M,T,W,R 2:304:10PM, BUILDING 15 ROOM 1202
Instructor: Peter Bacopoulos
Email: peter.bacopoulos@unf.edu
Phone: (904) 620-1846
Office: Building 50 Room 3000
Office hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 12:002:30pm or by appointment
Course description
The prerequisites for this course are differential equations and dynamics.
You will use MATLAB in the course and be introduced to a suite of numerical
methods utilized in engineering practice and research. The following
foundational knowledge will be covered in the course:
1. MATLAB programming
2. Root finding algorithms
3. Interpolation and curve fitting
4. Linear algebra and matrix methods
5. Numerical differentiation and integration
6. Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations
Course overview
There will be 6 learning modules in this course that coincide with the 6
above-listed elements of foundational knowledge. Each learning module will
be organized into five sections (title, purpose, outcomes, materials and
assignments). To enhance the learning experience and support the various
topics presented in the course, videos, animations, simulations, images,
online lectures and other materials will be used. Weekly assignments,
quizzes and a total of four exams will be used to assess your comprehension
of those materials.

Course outcomes
Upon completion of the course, among other things, you should be able to:
1. Apply knowledge of mathematics to learn algorithms commonly used
in engineering numerical analysis
2. Use techniques and skills and modern engineering tools for numerical
analysis necessary in engineering problem solving
3. Understand basic principles of linear algebra and matrix methods
4. Apply advanced mathematics through differential equations and their
numerical solutions
5. Use the computer-based software analysis tool MATLAB commonly
used in engineering practice
Software
All software for the course is available through the College of Computing,
Engineering and Construction or for free directly from the open-source
community (as indicated per software, if applicable). You will use the
following software in this course:
ArcGIS (info)
MATLAB (info)
Octave (download)
Maxima (download)
Python (download)
UNIX (info)
Required textbook:
Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists
(3rd Edition). By Stephen C. Chapra. ISBN-13: 978-0-07-340110-2.
MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications (5th Edition). By Amos
Gilat. ISBN-13: 978-1-11-862986-4.
Recommended textbook (not required): An Engineers Guide to MATLAB
(3rd Edition). By Edward B. Magrab et al. ISBN-10: 0-13-011335-2.
Available on Amazon.
Available on Google.

Course grades
Point breakdown
Your grade in this course will be determined based on a weighting system
(see the table below). Grades will be kept up (ideally on a daily basis, but
at least on a weekly basis) on Blackboard (Grade Center). It is your
responsibility to keep up with your grades. If you see a mistake in the
grade posted in Blackboard, inform the instructor immediately. You are
strongly encouraged to keep duplicate copies of all your assignments for
your own personal records and to dispute any errors. To view your grades
in Blackboard click the Grades link on the side menu.
Assignments
Weight
Homework
0%
Quizzes
20%
Midterm exam
40%
Final exam
40%
Total weight = 100%
Final grades
Final letter grades will be assigned according to the percentage of points
you obtain in the course. To calculate your percentage, divide the total
number of points you obtained by the total number of points possible.
Percentages are rounded up or down to the nearest whole number. Use the
scale below to determine your letter grade. A curve may be imposed at the
end of the semester of final grades if deemed necessary by the instructor.
% of points
94100
9093
8789
8486
8083
7779
7476
7073
6070
59

Letter grade
A
A
B+
B
B
C+
C
C
D
F