GOALS

This class introduces Civil engineering students to matrix algebra and numerical computing. Coverage includes computing accuracy, solutions of systems of linear equations, root-finding, function approximation, and numerical integration. Numerical and computing techniques are taught in the context of solving engineering problems.

COURSE CONTENTS

For the Spring Semester 2008, the course contents will be as follows:

• Course Introduction
• Programming with Matlab (Ch. 2-3 of Chapra; Ch. 13-14 of Austin/Chancogne)
• Roundoff and Truncation Errors (Ch. 4 of Chapra).
• Taylor Series and Roots of Equations (Ch. 5-6 of Chapra).
• Matrices and Matrix Algebra (Ch. 14 of Austin/Chancogne).
• Systems of Linear Equations (Ch. 8-10 of Chapra; Ch. 15 of Austin/Chancogne).
• Curve Fitting/Least Squares Analysis (Ch. 13-15 of Chapra).
• Numerical Integration (Ch. 17-18 of Chapra).
• Numerical Differentiation (Ch. 19 of Chapra).
• Ordinary Differential Equations (Ch. 20 of Chapra).

Approximately 5-6 homework assignments will be given during the semester. The primary purpose of homework is to generate thought and discussion, and by all means, feel free to discuss your ideas with classmates. However, ultimately, your final homework submission must be your own work.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• COURSE PREREQUISITES
  
  
  • ENCE 200 (prior/simultaneous enrollment in MATH 246 is also desirable).

• TIME AND LOCATION OF CLASS/OFFICE HOURS
  
  
  • Class. M,W,F 2-2.50 pm, Section 0102 will be in Room 1202, JM Patterson Building
  • Office Hours. M,W,F 10 am - 12 pm. Otherwise, by appointment (send me e-mail for a quick response to your problems).
  • TA/Grader. Che-Yu Chang.

• TEXTS AND COURSE NOTES
  
  
  • Chapra S.C., Applied Numerical Methods with Matlab for Engineers and Scientists, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2008, (ISBN: 978-0-07-313290-7).
    Note. We will use Chapra as a guide for the course contents, but it is not my intent to follow the book closely. My suggestion is try to find a second hand copy on eBay or Amazon.
  • Chapters 13, 14 and 15 of Austin and Chancogne, Introduction to Engineering Programming: in C, MATLAB and JAVA , John Wiley and Sons, New York.
  • ENCE 201 Lecture Notes. This booklet will contain the programming exercises, handouts from Spring semester 2007, and assortment of material on using MATLAB.

• EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
  
  
  • Midterm 1 (35%): March 12. Open book and open notes.
    The midterm will cover the first seven weeks of class.
  • Midterm 2 (35%): April 25. Open book and open notes.
    
  • Final (35%): May 19, 1.30-3.30 pm.
    The final covers matrix algebra, solution of matrix equations, least squares analysis, numerical integration, and numerical solution of ordinary differential equations.

Note. There will be no midterm or final make-up exams. Students may drop the lower of the midterm scores. Bi-weekly programming assignments in Matlab will account for 30% of the grade.

Developed in January 2008 by Mark Austin
Copyright © 2007-2008, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland