Introduction

Many physical phenomena are governed by differential equations. In fact, Newton's second law of motion is in general a set of second order time-dependent differential equations. In this course our main goal is to develop a number of tools for solving these and other equations numerically. Our main focus is in developing numerical methods for such purposes

This information document covers the following subjects: how to contact the staff, prerequisites, textbooks, course work and grading, the Math 98 class for matlab, late penalties.

If you have a general question about something that is NOT covered here, or if you wish to talk with your GSI or me, the easiest way is to come during office hours. Otherwise, please make an appointment by sending the staff electronic mail.

Staff

GSIs

• Alan Tarr
  send Alan email at alant@math.berkeley.edu.
  Discussion sections 101 (W 9:00-10:00AM) and 102 (W 10:00-11:00AM), B3 Evans.
  Office Hours TBA
  
• Allen Chen
  send Allen Chen email at achen@math.berkeley.edu.
  Discussion sections 103 (W 11:00-Noon) and 104 (W Noon-1:00PM), B3 Evans.
  Office Hours: TBA
• Richard Dore
  send Richard Dore email at rdore@math.berkeley.edu.
  Discussion sections 105 (W 2:00-3:00PM) and 106 (W 3:00-4:00PM), B3 Evans.
  Office Hours: TBA

Prerequisites

Textbooks

• R. L. Burden and J. D. Faires, Numerical Analysis, 9-th edition, Brooks-Cole, 2011.

This is the first year the 9-th edition of Burden and Faires has become available. As such, the book price has gone up substantially. To reduced the pain of having to buy very expensive textbooks, you are allowed to use the 8th edition if you need to. We will try our best to minimize any potential problems when lecturing and assigning homework problems.

Math 98

There are a total of 100 points you can earn toward your final grade in the course. There will be two midterm exams. The better of the two is worth 20 points and the worse 16 points. The final exam is worth 30 points. All exams will be graded by the GSIs and myself. In addition to exams, there will be up to 12 homeworks, 4 quizzes, and 4 programming assignments. We will count the best 10 homeworks, all 4 quizzes and all 4 programming assignments towards your final grade, with each homework worth 1 point, each quiz 2 points, and each programming assignment 4 points. Homeworks and programming assignments are due on Wednesdays during discussion. Quizzes are in general in every other week, except when there is a midterm exam. Here are the quiz dates:

• Sept. 8
• Oct. 6
• Oct. 20
• Nov. 17

We will give no credit for written homework and programming assignment turned in after the due date and there will be no make up quizzes and exams. In case you have to miss a midterm exam, the midterm you do take will be worth 26 points and your final 40 points.

Here are the exam dates:

• Midterm I: Monday Sept. 20 in class.
• Midterm II: Monday Nov. 8 in class.
• Final: 7:00-10:00PM, Wednesday, December 15.

Homeworks and programming assignments will involve written assignments to be done individually, although group discussion is allowed. Basic programming skills will be needed in both homework and programming assignments. The GSIs and myself will offer help for languages we are familiar with (mostly matlab and Fortran.)

Your final letter grade will be determined based on the class performance curve , which is based on the number of points you earned in the course. In general the absolute majority of the class will get A and B level grades. To get a good grade, make sure you do your homework and programming assignments on time, and prepare well for your quizzes; your exam scores only go so far.

Grades of Incomplete will be granted only for dire medical or personal emergencies that cause you to miss the final, and only if your work up to that point has been satisfactory.

To obtain an early report of your grade, leave a stamped, self-addressed postcard with your final or in my mail box. I will only post the class performance curve after the final exam.

Lateness