DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
CSC 113 – INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING (3 SCH)
Course (catalog) Description:
This course deals with the introduction to the solution of engineering problems through
the use of the computer. This course will cover elementary programming concepts using
the programming language MATLAB and apply those concepts towards the solution of
engineering problems. No previous knowledge of computer programming or numerical
analysis is assumed.
Prerequisite: None
Textbook:
MATLAB for Engineers, Holly Moore, Prentice Hall, 2007; ISBN-13: 9780-13-187244-8.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of CSC 113, students should have learned how to
construct computer program flow diagrams, implement programs using MATLAB and
apply those skills towards the numerical solution of engineering problems. Specifically:
Understand basic foundations of computer programming
Have a basic understanding of how engineers use computers to numerically solve
programs
o Have a basic understanding of how to test and debug computer programs
o Have the ability and an appreciation for good documentation of computer programs
o Understand basic algorithms for (1) numerical integration, (2) numerical differentiation,
(2) curve fitting, (3) solution of simultaneous linear equations and (4) numerical solution
of ordinary differential equations
o Have a reasonably good knowledge of the MATLAB programming environment
o
o
Topics Covered:
Introduction to MATLAB, matrices and vectors, plotting using MATLAB, MATLAB
script and function files, branching statements, loops, solving simultaneous equations,
finding roots, interpolation and curve fitting, numerical differentiation and numerical
integration.
Class Schedule:
3 sessions per week, 50 minutes each
1 WK
Introduction to Programming Languages
2 WKS
Introduction to MATLAB
1.5 WKS
Matrices and Vectors
0.5 WK
2D Plotting using MATLAB
0.5 WK
3D Plotting using MATLAB
1 WKS
MATLAB Script Files
1 WKS
MATLAB Function Files
1 WK
Introduction to Programming in MATLAB
1 WK
1 WK
1 WK
0.5 WK
0.5 WK
0.5 WK
0.5 WK
0.5 WK
2 WKS
Introduction to Branching Statements
Introduction to Loops
Putting it all together: Programming Examples
Solving Simultaneous Equations
Finding Roots of Equations
Interpolation and Curve Fitting
Numerical Differentiation
Numerical Integration
Putting it together: Engineering Applications I
Contribution of Course to Meeting the Professional Component
The topics covered in this course prepare students to solve various practical engineering
problems using numerical methods. The course enables students to apply their
knowledge in computer programming to solve complicated engineering problems not
easily solved analytically.
Relationship of Course to Program Objectives:
This course supports several EE educational objectives PEO 1, PEO 3 and PEO5 as listed
in Table 2. Specifically,
1. It exposes students to the basics of computer programming and applies those skills
towards the solution of real-world engineering problems.
2. It prepares students to enter beginning positions that require computer programming
skills as well as knowledge of numerical algorithms using in engineering.
3. It enables students to use modern engineering tools such as MATLAB in the design
and simulation of the course design projects.
Expected Course Outcomes:
After the completion of this course, students are expected to:
CO-1: Be reasonably proficient at writing computer programs using MATLAB
CO-2: Be able to formulate computer algorithms and implement those algorithms in
MATLAB to solve engineering problems.
CO-3: Be able to document code
CO-4: Be able to decipher MATLAB code written by others
CO-5 Be able to graphically present the output of computer programs in a well thought
out manner
CO1
CO2
CO3
CO4
CO5
AO-1
X
AO-2
X
AO-3
X
AO-4
AO-5
X
AO-6
AO-7
AO-8
AO-9
AO-10
AO-11
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Outcome Assessment:
The course employs the following mechanisms to assess the above learning outcomes:
1. Homework is assigned and graded weekly to assess the level of student understanding
of topics covered during the week. The learning outcomes are also assessed through two
exams and a number of computer projects.
2. The teacher frequently asks students if they understand the lectures.
3. Student performance in the course homework, projects and exams are used to assess
the learning outcomes 1-5.
4. The overall assessment of the course is done through the University student
evaluation.
Process of Improvement:
The teacher continuously tries to improve the course as described as follows:
1. The teacher frequently evaluates the student performance on homework, several
computer oriented projects and the two exams and carefully examines the suggestions
made by students during the semester. Then the teacher takes proper steps (such as
adjusting the pace of coverage) to correct problems (if any).
2. The teacher uses the assessment of the homework, computer projects and exams to
determine the achievement level of the course objectives and take proper actions to
improve the course.
3. At the end of every semester, the teacher meets with the chairman to discuss
improvement plan for the course based on the Student Course Evaluation organized by
the University.
Preparing Person: Dr. Phillip Regalia, Professor
DATE: August 2010