Wayland Baptist University
Plainview Campus
School of Mathematics and Sciences
Wayland Mission Statement: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an
academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for
professional success and service to God and humankind.
Course Title and Number: MSCI 2311-PL01; Scientific Computing
Term:
Name of Instructor:
Office Phone Number and WBU Email Address:
Office Hours, Building, and Location:
Class Meeting Time and Location:
Catalog Description: An introduction to the utilization of computational tools in the fields
of science and mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on effective utilization of computer
software and hardware for scientific communication. Computer-based techniques in
literature searching and bibliographic reference, word processing, and data collection,
analysis, graphing, modeling and presentation will be covered in this course.
Prerequisites: demonstrated computer competence by transcripted high school computer
course(s) within 5 years of enrollment at Wayland
Required Textbook(s) and/or Resource Material: Access to a computer with Microsoft
Office 2007 and internet access outside of class will be required. In addition, the students
will be required to have access to Mozilla Firefox Web Browser with the Zotero Add-on
(along with the Zotero Add-In for Word), have the Solver Add-In installed on Excel, and
have access to Adobe Reader. Procedures for obtaining and installing these will be posted
on Blackboard. On-campus computer labs will be sufficient if the student’s schedule allows
utilization during available lab hours. A USB “thumb drive” will also be highly useful for this
course.
Course Outcome Competencies:
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Understand the importance of computational techniques to the fields of math and
science.
2. Use these computational techniques to enhance scientific laboratory and
communication skills.
3. Function efficiently and effectively in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Maple,
and with online databases and electronic journal archives.
Attendance Requirements:
“The University expects students to make class attendance a priority.”
1. Three unexcused absences from lecture may result in lowering the course grade by
one letter grade.
2. Participation in University sponsored events is an excused absence. Other absences
MAY be excused at the discretion of the instructor.
3. ALL absences (including for University sponsored events) must be discussed with the
instructor BEFORE the absence or they will be unexcused.
4. If a student misses 25% of the class meetings the student may be dropped from the
class.
Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty: Wayland Baptist University
observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty. Per university policy as
described in the academic catalog, all cases of academic dishonesty will be reported and
second offenses will result in suspension from the university.
Disability Statement: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with
a disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination under any educational program or activity in the university. The
Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students with a disability
and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 291-3765.
Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria:
1. Homework (10%). Periodic homework assignments will be given, some of which will
be web-based. The purpose of these assignments is to ensure that the student has
mastered the individual computational skills covered in class and online via
Blackboard.
2. Four major projects (60%). These four assignments will each require the student to
synthesize the concepts and skills covered in class to complete a project that mirrors
the computer skills required for “real-world” scientific endeavors.
3. Five in-class examinations (30%). These exams will be both conceptual and skillbased. Students should be prepared to answer questions related to concepts covered
during lecture, and demonstrate the ability to apply the computer skills covered in
the lecture, homework, and project activities.
Course Evaluation:
A: 90 – 100
B: 80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
D: 60 – 69
F: Below 60
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or
capricious academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been
held to realistic academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate
grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by using the student grade
appeal process described in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be made for
advanced placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals are
limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any
stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be
submitted through the Executive Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly
Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade
Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered
to a more proper evaluation.
Tentative Schedule:
I. Introduction to Scientific Computing
A. The relationship between science and technology
B. The fundamental role of communication in science
II. Means of Scientific Communication
A. Literature, Conferences, Presentations
B. Microsoft Word
1. Document formatting
2. Bibliographic management
3. Insertion and integration of graphics and images
III. Data Collection and Input
A. Laboratory Notebooks
1. Introduction to Laboratory Notebooks
2. Emerging technologies for electronic lab notebooks
B. Computer-Instrument Interfacing
IV. Data Analysis
A. Microsoft Excel
1. Plotting and data fitting
2. Microsoft Excel Solver
3. Statistical Analysis
4. Output of data and graphics to Word and PowerPoint
B. Maple
1. Utilization of Maple for algebra and calculus applications
2. Utilization of Maple for graphics and plotting
V. Presentation
A. Scientific Presentation Design and Organization
B. Microsoft PowerPoint
1. Presentation Formatting
2. Use of design templates
3. Use of color and animations
4. Creation and use of handouts and notes pages
5. Use of PowerPoint to create large-format scientific posters
C. Distribution of Online Content
Additional Information and/or Special Notes:
Academic Honesty:
“University students are required to conduct themselves according to the highest
standards of academic honesty.”
Any student guilty of cheating or other forms of academic dishonesty will be
penalized at the instructor’s discretion by one or more of the following:
Assigning a grade of F to the work in question.
2. Assigning a grade of F for the entire course.
3. Recommendation for more severe punishment; including probation,
suspension, or expulsion from the University (see student handbook for
further information).
Revised 06/17/14