Spring 2009 CS2503 Course Syllabus
Scientific Programming
Instructor:
James Childress
Contact:
james-childress@utulsa.edu
Office Hours: MWF 2:00pm-3:00pm; TT 10:00am-11:30am.
Math and Computer Science Department
Office: U331
Section Day
Time
Lecture
1
MWF
8:00am – 8:50am
KEP-M2
LAB
KEP-L2
Course Home Page
http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~james-childress/
Co-requisite
Currently enrolled in Math 2024
Textbook
Title:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
MATLAB: An Introduction With Applications.
Amos Gilat
Wiley
0-471-69420-7
Course Description
The Matlab application is used to learn structured programming techniques for science and
engineering. Computer technology and computational issues in science and engineering are
covered in the course. The course covers computer science topics found in the Fundamentals of
Engineering professional exam. Course includes lecture and weekly laboratory assignments.
Course Objectives and Goals
 Design and write structured computer programs.
 Enhance logic, reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
 Enhance technical information comprehension.
 Students will be better prepared for the Computer Science portion of the FE professional
exam.
Teaching Methods
Lecture will be used to explain concepts that may or may not be covered in the textbook. Students
will be responsible for topics assigned from the text as well as additional topics covered during
lecture. Projects, homework, and labs will be assigned in class and posted on the web. Exams,
quizzes, and in class exercises will also be used.
ADA Policy
Academic accommodations will be provided when appropriate documentation is presented.
Contact the Center for Student Academic Support in Lorton Hall for details. The Center for
Student Academic Support will inform the instructor as to what special accommodations must be
provided.
Student Evaluation
Students will be evaluated by their performance on exams, labs, homework in-class exercises, and
quizzes. Points for the course will be awarded as follows:
Three quizzes
30
Homework and in-class assignments
22
13 Labs
78
Three 90 point exams
270
Total
400
Grading
Let n equal the total number of points a student earns during the semester. The letter grade
assigned to the point total n, is determined by this scale:
360  n  400: A
320  n < 360 : B
280  n < 320 : C
240  n < 280 : D
n < 240: F
If 25% or more of the students completing the course earn at least 360 points, there will be no
rounding-up of grades for any student taking the course. The instructor reserves the right to adjust
grades to a curve for any exam, quiz, project, lab, or in-class assignment. You must show all work
for credit on an exam, quiz, project, lab assignment, or any other assignment. Using an incorrect
technique which by chance arrives at a correct solution will result in no credit.
Exams
You may not use any electronic device for an exam. You must show all work for credit. There are
no make-up exams for over-sleeping. A student arriving late for an exam may take the exam if no
other student has completed the exam and left the classroom.
Quizzes
Students may use a standard calculator for the first quiz. No other electronic device may be used
for the first quiz. No cell phones. No electronic device of any type may be used for the other
quizzes.
Exam, Quiz, and Assignment Make-Up Policy
You may take an exam or quiz at a non-regularly scheduled time if a valid and excused absence is
documented and approved by the Center for Student Academic Support. Valid and excused
absences must be:
 A University sponsored event or trip.
 Extraordinary family or medical hardships. Hardships must have supporting
documentation to receive special consideration.
All other requests for rescheduling an exam or quiz will be denied. Any make-up exams or
quizzes will be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor. If you miss an in-class assignment,
you must complete and return the assignment before the assignment is graded and returned to the
other students. Any late assignment or lab is subject to a 50% penalty.
Attendance
90% of success is showing up. Absence is a detriment to your overall performance. In-class
assignments will be given periodically and unannounced to encourage attendance.
Lab Attendance Policy
Lab attendance is required. You must attend the lab session to receive credit for the lab. You
must receive prior approval from the lab instructor for doing a lab outside your regularly
scheduled lab session. Lab sessions will have assigned seating. Labs are due at the end of the lab
period. If you do not complete the lab, give your incomplete lab to the lab instructor; this is
required to receive any credit for the assignment. The lab assistant may grant an extension.
Extensions are available to students who attend the entire lab session or by prior arrangement.
Individual lab instructors may elect to include their own additional policies with the approval of
the course instructor. Students are expected to be prepared prior to the scheduled lab session. You
must spend some time prior to the lab session planning your strategy for completing the
assignment. The Matlab software is available on computer systems in KEP M7, L1, and L2.
Matlab can be purchased with a student discount from MathWorks, Inc.,
http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/
There is no lab during the first week of class.
Calculators and Electronic Devices
Calculators are not allowed for exams or quizzes with the exception of the first quiz (Quiz 1).
Students may not borrow or lend a calculator during the quiz. Borrowing or lending a calculator
during the first quiz will result in no credit for the first quiz. No other electronic device may be
used for the first quiz. Using a cell phone or a network access device during an exam or quiz will
result in no credit for the exam or quiz.
Failure to Withdraw Policy
If you wish to withdraw from the course, you must fill out the necessary forms. Failure to follow
through could result in a grade of F for the course in accordance with university policy.
Confidential Information
Grades will be posted using Web Advisor at the end of the semester after all exams, labs, and
assignments are graded. Point totals may be periodically posted using WebCT. No confidential
information will be sent through the e-mail or given over the phone. All requests for grades by
e-mail or phone will be denied. Be sure to check the web site for further information about
grades. Avoid sending e-mails with attachments. You must make prior arrangements to send the
instructor an e-mail message containing an attachment.
Student Competency Clause
A student may be asked by a lab instructor or the course instructor to demonstrate a level of
competency that is contained in any assignment completed by the student. It is possible to receive
no credit for an assignment if a student is unable to demonstrate a level of competency contained
in a completed assignment.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is claiming, indicating, or implying that the ideas, sentences, or words of another
person are your own. Plagiarism includes having another writer do work claimed to be your own,
copying the work of another and presenting it as your own, or following the work of another as a
guide to ideas and expression that are then presented as your own. Any work plagiarized by a
student will receive no credit (zero points). Plagiarism is considered academic misconduct.
Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is neither condoned nor tolerated. Academic dishonesty is
behavior in which a deliberately fraudulent misrepresentation is employed in an attempt to gain
undeserved intellectual credit, either for oneself or for another. Academic violations could result
in no credit for an assignment, quiz, or exam; a failing grade for the course, or dismissal from the
University. Deliberate misuse of the computing facilities falls under the heading of Academic
Dishonesty or Misconduct. Examples of computing resource misuse includes but is not limited to
the following: downloading or accessing information that is not used for academic purposes,
copyright infringements, downloading or accessing illegal materials, personal business
transactions for profit, malicious computer attacks designed to disrupt general computer
activities, etc.
Student Etiquette
Students are expected to be attentive during class and not disrupt the learning process. Everyone
is encouraged to participate in class discussions as directed by the instructor. Students are also
encouraged to ask the instructor questions about the course material. Here is a list of activities
that can disrupt the learning process:
 Forgetting to turn-off your cell phone during lecture, quiz, or exam time.
 Habitual tardiness.
 Leaving and re-entering the classroom during lecture, quiz or exam time.
 Engaging in conversation not relevant to the classroom activities.
Exams will have assigned seating as directed by the course instructor.
Tentative Schedule of Activities
The instructor may change the assignment schedule at any time by verbal or written notification
in class and posted on the course web site.
Important dates:
Quiz 1
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Friday January 30
Friday February 13
Friday March 27
Monday May 4 @ 1:00pm
*The third exam will be kept on file for a period of one year and will not be available to students.
Topics
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Computer Technology
Measuring Computing Performance
Base-n number conversions
Matrix Arithmetic & Basic Linear Algebra
Programming Concepts using Matlab
o Modularization with Scripts and Functions
o Branching by Decision Making
o Iteration with Loops
o Recursion
Basic Concepts of Numerical Analysis
o Algorithm Complexity
o Error Analysis
o The Finite Difference Method