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MATH 344 (04724), Winter 2009

Numerical Methods for Civil and Mechanical Engineers

Catalog Description:

The fundamentals of numerical methods for civil and mechanical engineering students. Topics include: approximation and interpolation, numerical solution to equations, numerical differentiation and integration, numerical solutions to differential equations, solutions of systems of equations, and finding eigenvalues. The topics will be posed in a setting of problems intended for civil and mechanical engineering students using MATLAB.

Desired Learning Outcomes:

The ability to use MATLAB to solve common engineering problems, and in particular solve systems of nonlinear algebraic equations using Newton-Raphson, and solve initial value ODEs. The ability to define issues such as convergence, stability, computational cost, and error propagation as they apply to numerical integration and differentiation.

Prerequisites:

MATH 340.

Instructor:

Martin J. Mohlenkamp, mohlenka@ohio.edu, (740)593-1259, 315-B Morton Hall.
Office hours: Monday 1-2pm, Tuesday 1-2pm, Thursday 1-2pm, and Friday 9-10am.

Web page:

http://www.ohiouniversityfaculty.com/mohlenka/20092/344.

Class hours/ location:

MTuThF 8:10-9am in 314 Morton Hall.

Text:

Introduction to Numerical Methods and Matlab Programming: Class Notes for MATH 344, Todd Young and Martin Mohlenkamp, 2008. Available at http://www.math.ohiou.edu/courses/math344.

Homework:

There will be weekly problem sets. These are group homeworks, to be done in groups of 2 or 3.

Good Problems:

On each problem set, one problem is designated a Good Problem. These problems will be graded both on content and on presentation. The idea is to practice writing mathematics regularly but in small pieces.

Tests:

There will be three mid-term tests, in class, without the aid of the computer.

Final Exam:

The final exam is on Friday, March 20, at 10:10am.

Grade:

The homework is worth 50%, each test 10% and the final exam 20%. An average of 90% guarantees you at least an A-, 80% a B-, 70% a C-, and 60% a D-.

Late work:

Late homework sets are penalized 5% for each 24 hour period or part thereof, excluding weekends and holidays. You can resubmit a homework set to improve your score, but the late penalty will apply.

Attendance:

Attendance is assumed but is not counted in your grade. However, you should estimate that for each class you miss your average will decrease by one point due to the learning you missed. It is your responsibility to find out any announcements made in class.

Academic Dishonesty:

If your group receives any help on the homework, you must acknowledge in writing what help you received and from whom. It is permitted to have a student who has already taken this course explain a homework problem to you; however, it is not permitted to look at their written work or programs. The tests and final exam must be your own work, and without the aid of notes, etc. Dishonesty will result in a zero on that work, and possible failure in the class and a report to the university judiciaries.

Special Needs:

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.

Learning Resources:

Your classmates are your best resource. Use them!

The Academic Advancement Center's Math Center has drop-in help, tutors, online help, and a telephone hotline.

MATLAB and Latex links

Schedule