COURSE INFORMATION

EML3041

Summer 2009

       

Course Number: EML 3041

 

Course Name: COMPUTATIONAL METHODS

 

Credit Hours: 3

 

Pre‑Requisites:  MAP 2302: Differential Equations, and

EML 3035: Programming Concepts for Mechanical Engineers

 

Class Location & Time

MW: 10:30AM-12:30 PM in LIF 272

F:  10:30AM -12:30PM in LIF 272 or ENB116. 

Check the schedule for which room to go to.

 

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COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  1. Students will be able to develop mathematical models of lower level engineering problems.
  2. Students will learn how to calculate, quantify and minimize errors, concept of significant digits and how errors are related to correct number of significant digits.
  3. Students will learn how to solve nonlinear equations numerically
  4. Students will be introduced to fundamental matrix algebra concepts and shown how to solve simultaneous linear equations numerically
  5. Students will learn how to curve fit (interpolation and regression) discrete date
  6. Students will learn how to numerically integrate continuous and discrete functions.
  7. Students will learn how to numerically solve ordinary differential equations that are initial value or boundary value problems.
     

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OUTCOMES OF EML 3041

In the course EML 3041 – Computational Methods, the program objectives are met as follows (The letters in the brackets given at the end of each outcome corresponds to the outcomes of the Mechanical Engineering program at USF)

 

1.      Understand the concept and steps of problem solving - mathematical modeling, solution and implementation. (e)

2.     Learn concepts of error - identification, quantification and minimization of errors.  Understand error sources of round off and truncation error.  Introduce the concept of machine epsilon and significant digits, and its relation to relative errors.  Reinforce these concepts in all the numerical techniques. (a)

3.     Find how derivatives of functions can be calculated numerically (a,e).

4.     Learn how to find real roots of nonlinear equations of the form f(x)=0 using bisection method and Newton-Raphson method. (a, e)

5.     Learn methods to solve simultaneous linear equations.  Use Naive Gauss Elimination to obtain a solution.  Show how Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting reduces round off error.  Learn the LU Decomposition method to find solution for multiple right hand arrays or inverse of a square matrix.  (a, e, n)

6.     Learn methods to fit a curve to given data points via interpolation and regression.  Learn direct and spline interpolation methods of interpolation.  Learn how to find linear and nonlinear regression models for give data. (a, b, e, n)

7.      Learn methods of integration such as Trapezoidal rule and Gauss-Quadarture to find integrals of continuous functions.  Develop methods of integration for discrete functions based on Trapezoidal rule, interpolation and regression models (a, e, m)

8.     Learn Euler’s method, Runge-Kutta and shooting methods to solve ordinary differential equations that are coupled and/or higher order, initial-value or boundary value problems. (a, e, m)

 

OUTCOMES OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

a)               an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering;

b)               an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;

c)               an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;

d)               an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;

e)               an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

f)                an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

g)               an ability to communicate effectively;

h)              the broad educational necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;

i)                a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life long learning;

j)                a  knowledge of contemporary issues; 

k)               an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;

l)                a knowledge of chemistry and physics with depth in at least one.

m)             an ability to apply advanced mathematics through multivariate calculus and differential equations.

n)              a familiarity with statistics and linear algebra;

o)               an ability to work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas including the design and realization of such systems.

 

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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Autar Kaw

Office Location: ENC 2215

Telephone: 813‑974-5626

Office Hours: Mon 12:30-1:15; Wed 9:30-10:15

OR

call 813‑974-5626 for making an appointment for consultation outside office hours

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TA INFORMATION

TA: Luke Snyder

Office Location: ENG 205 (Kopp Engineering Building)

Telephone: 813-396-9350

E-mail:  lasnyde4@mail.usf.edu

Office hours:  Tue 10:30-12; Wed 12:30-2; Fri:9-10:15

Or send e-mail for making an appointment for consultation outside office hours.

 

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TEXT BOOKS

1.      Numerical Methods with Applications: Abridged by Autar Kaw and E Eric Kalu.  ONLY available online via http://www.lulu.com/content/4993775.  Order now as it takes 5-7 days to get it by Fedex-Ground.  An online version of the part of the book that carries the first one week of lectures is available on the Blackboard site.  Most of the net proceeds from USF sales of the book are donated to the USF Foundation, USF Student Organizations, and other charities.

2.     Your MATLAB book for EML 3035 (The one written by Chapman).  For the Chapman book, it does not matter which edition you have.  Any edition is good.

3.     Buying MATLAB software for home use is optional.  You may already have this from the EML3035 course.  You can always use MATLAB free of charge in ENB118 (next to fish bowl in Engineering II building), ENB229, LIB 125C (first floor lab in the Library), and other open labs except EDU open lab.

 

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MATLAB REFRESHER

Matlab overview and refresher: http://www.eng.usf.edu/~kaw/class/programming

 

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CALCULATOR

No programmable calculators are allowed in the classroom or tests.  You can only use nonprogrammable calculators for class work, homework, and tests.  The only acceptable calculators are TI-30Xa and TI-30Xa Solar.  No other calculator is allowed.  No exceptions will be made.  Office Depot, Staples, and Wal-Mart stock these calculators.  Bring the calculator to every class.

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SHORT OBJECTIVES

Techniques and computer programming tools to solve engineering problems using numerical methods.  Topics include roots of equations, matrix algebra, integration, differential equations and curve fitting.

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TENTATIVE CALENDAR and EXAM SCHEDULE

 

Week 1

May 11:

May 13:

May 15: Programming Lab (Last name A-K) ENB116


Week 2

May 18:

May 20:

May 22: Programming Lab (Last Name L-Z) ENB116


Week 3

May 25: Memorial Day (Holiday)

May 27:

May 29: Programming Multiple Choice Test


Week 4

June 1:

June 3: Test#1

June 5:


Week 5

June 8:

June 10:

June 12:


Week 6

June 15:

June 17:

June 19:


Week 7

June 22: Test#2

June 24:

June 26:


Week 8

June 29:

July 1 :

July 3: Independence Day Holiday


Week 9

July 6:

July 8:

July 10:


Week 10

July 13:

July 15: Test#3


 

July 17: Final Examination  (location: BEH103)



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COURSE GRADE and GRADING POLICY

Category

Weightage

Test #1, 2, 3

15%,15%,15%

Programming Test

8%

Final Exam

32%

Surveys, etc

Extra credit: 0.5 points for each survey

Programming Project Report

5%

Experimental Project Report

5%

Special Assignments

5%

 

100%

 

Tests#1, 2 and 3: Each test is graded out of 100. Tests are closed book and closed notes.  A formula sheet made by the instructor may be allowed.

 

Programming Test:  This is a 50-question multiple-choice test that lasts 100 minutes.  The test is based on the skills (learned in EML3035) you need to complete your programming and experimental projects.  A sample quiz is on the course website.  Your programming test is open Chapman book, and you are allowed one 8.5"x11" sheet with anything on it (both sides).  It has to be handwritten in your own handwriting.

 

Reports:  Reports are due at the beginning of the class period they are due in.  If you are not coming to class, you can slip your report under my door one hour before the class period begins on the day it is due.  If it is slipped after this time, it will not be graded.  Late reports are not accepted or graded.

 

Reports not submitted when they are due will be graded later only if you have a legitimate, verifiable, and documented excuse as given in the syllabus. The explanation of the excuse and the documentation should be attached to your report. You need to submit your report on the first day you are back in class. 

 

Computer or lab projects are graded out of 100 points

 

Final Exam: Final exam is a 32-question multiple-choice cumulative/ comprehensive examination that lasts 2 hours.  Each question has four choices.  Four questions are asked from each of the eight topics.

 

YOU SHOULD NOT RUSH TO MY CLASS as nothing is that important in life. I myself may get to come late to a class for something that is beyond my control or even with the best of planning. In the last 21 years of teaching, I have been late to class five times.

 

Curving the Grade: The adjustments made to your course grade is as follows and is made to the tests#1, 2, 3 and the programming test (No adjustment is made to the final exam grade). 

 

If the average for students registered for the course (all withdrawal students and students missing the exam are not included in the calculation) for any of the 4 tests is less than 70%, the difference is added to every registered student's grade for that test (exception include students missing a test for verifiable excuse, where adjustments are at the discretion of the instructor).

 

Extra Credit:  You can earn up to 0.5 extra credit points per survey for the course grade by filling some ABET type surveys or by writing personal essays on numerical methods.  If you choose the essay option, the deadline for submitting your intent in writing to me is Friday, May 29, 2009.

 

Guaranteed Grading Scale:

Grade A+  is 98‑100 (4.00)       Grade A  is 90-97 (4.00)            Grade A- is  86-89 (3.67)

Grade B+ is 83-85 (3.33)          Grade B is 80-82 (3.00)             Grade B- is 76-79 (2.67)

Grade C+ is 73-75 (2.33)           Grade C is 70-72 (2.00)              Grade C– is 66-69 (1.67)

Grade D+ is 63-65 (1.33)           Grade D is 60-62 (1.00)             Grade D‑ is 56‑59 (0.67)

Grade F is 0‑55 (0.00).

 

Your final grade will be calculated as follows at the end of the course.  A number 0.999999 will be added to your overall percentage grade.  The integer part (INT function in Excel) of the grade will be recorded as your final grade.  Course grades will be evaluated on the above given percentages and a letter grade will be assigned to you as outlined in the University catalog for undergraduate students (2008-2009).

 

Course grades will be evaluated on percentage score and a letter grade will be assigned to you as outlined in the University catalog for undergraduate students (2008-2009). 

 

Do not wait until the last day before an examination or a test to ask questions. Graded assignments and quizzes not picked up when handed out in class can be picked up only during the above given office hours or at the end of the class.  Graded assignments and tests not picked up by August 20, 2009 will be discarded.

 

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ATTENDANCE

Attendance is not compulsory but you are responsible for topics covered in class, announcements made in class, homework assigned in class, and submitting  lab reports on time.  Updating the web to show assigned pages and HW is done as a courtesy.  The webpage may NOT be updated regularly.  Check your official USF e-mail everyday.

 

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REGRADING POLICY

Re-grading of a test, lab report, essay or computer project should be requested within five working days of it being returned to you.  Re-grading after the final grade is assigned for the course will be allowed only in extreme circumstances.  Mistakes in the grade book entries should be rectified as soon as possible to avoid any change of grade issues.  You will need a copy of all your graded tests for verification.  KEEP ALL YOUR GRADED PAPERS TILL THE FINAL GRADE IS ASSIGNED.

 

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GRADES ON THE WEB

Grades will be updated on https://my.usf.edu after each test is graded.

 

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MISSED EXAMINATIONS

NO make‑up tests will be given.  However, in the event of a serious illness (physician's statement documenting severity of illness required), death in the family or other legitimate, documented, verifiable emergency resulting in the absence from a schedule test, each case will be evaluated separately.  The decision of the instructor is final.  An example of a make-up score is that if you miss a test, you may be given the same grade as the final exam score in the missed topics, and so on.  Curving of make-up grades is discretion of the instructor.

 

Notification of absence must be given before the commencement of the scheduled examination or test to me.  You need to type a professional memo (see sample) about your absence addressed to me as soon as possible.  Attach any documentation with it (no e-mails will be accepted).

 

Do not presume that your reasons for missing an examination or test are acceptable unless authorization is given to you.

 

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POLICY ON RELIGIOUS OBSERVATIONS

Students who need to be absent under this rule must provide written notice of date(s) to me by the second-class meeting.  The request needs to be reasonable under university rules.

 

POLICY ON STUDENT DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office for Student Disability Services at 813-974-4309 in SVC 1133 to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The website is http://www.sds.usf.edu/index.htm.

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ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND DISRUPTION

If you are found cheating on any of the tests, exams, graded HWs, projects, you will get a 'FF’ for the whole course, and referred to the Dean's office for further process or appeal.

Academic disruption includes excessive side talking, lack of respect for your fellow classmates and the instructor, listening to music, cell phone distractions, solving crossword puzzles. These will be handled as per the undergraduate catalog of 2008-2009.

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INCOMPLETE GRADE, ACADEMIC DISHONESTY, AND DISRUPTION OF ACADEMIC PROCESS

The following restates portions of USF Academic Policy from the USF Undergraduate Manual concerning the “incomplete” grade, academic dishonesty, and disruption of academic process.  The faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering requests all students in the department to be informed of these policies.

 

Incomplete Grade Policy

“It may be awarded to an undergraduate student only when a small portion of the students work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing grade.”

 

Academic Dishonesty

“Each individual is expected to earn his/her degree on the basis of personal effort.  Consequently, any form of cheating on examinations or plagiarism on assigned papers constitutes unacceptable deceit and dishonesty.”

 

Penalties for Academic Dishonesty

“Penalties for academic dishonesty will depend on the seriousness of the offense and may include assignment of an “F” or a numerical value of zero on the subject paper, lab report, etc., an “F” or an “FF” grade (the latter indicating academic dishonesty) in the course, suspension or expulsion from the University.”  In this course, a FF is assigned for any cheating in the assigned HW, quizzes and/or competency tests.

 

Disruption of Academic Process

“Disruption of the classroom or teaching environment is also unacceptable.  This cannot be tolerated in the University community, and will be punishable, according to the seriousness of the offense.”

 

Punishment Guidelines for Disruption of Academic Process

“Punishment for disruption of academic process will depend on the seriousness of the disruption and will range from a private verbal reprimand to dismissal from class with a final grade of “W,” if the student is passing the course.  If the student is not passing, a grade of “F” will be shown on the student record.  Particularly serious instances of disruption of the academic process may result in suspension or permanent expulsion from the University.”

 

Recording

All unauthorized recordings of class are prohibited.  Recordings that accommodate individual student needs must be approved in advance and may be used for personal use during the semester only; redistribution is prohibited.

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CLASS RULES

In response to student requests and instructor observations, the following class rules will apply in this course:

  1. Put the cell phones on silent or vibrate.  Cell phones should be out of sight and not answered inside the classroom.
  2. No checking of e-mail or internet surfing in the class or during the breaks.
  3. No food or drink in the lab, a drink is allowed during the lecture.
  4. No talking during lecture (except for questions to instructor or discussion time).
  5. No reading newspapers or magazines or solving crossword puzzles, etc.
  6. No working on other coursework during lecture.
  7. No use of laptops.
  8. No use of portable electronic music devices (mp3 players, iPods, etc).

 

The purpose of these class rules is to eliminate activity that is disruptive to the academic process.  Most students view these as a common courtesy to the instructor and fellow students.  Failure to comply with a class rule will be viewed as a Disruption to the Academic Process.  The penalty for such disruption is given in the syllabus.

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