“The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers.” Richard HammingWeightDateMATH 248 COURSE GUIDELINES*“The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers.” Richard HammingCOURSE: Math 248--Computers and Numerical Algorithms--Spring 2007TIME: Section 0001 / 09:05-09:55 MW (Burruss 030) and 09:30-10:45 TTh (Burruss 030)OVERVIEW: Math 248 is a unique course, in which 1) you will learn a high-level programming language, Fortran90, and 2) you will use that language to write efficient and well-structured programs to perform a variety ofnumerical tasks: finding the roots of a nonlinear equation, finding the solution of a linear system of equations,numerically evaluating a definite integral, and determining and evaluating an interpolating polynomial. The relativeemphases on these two objectives will be approximately 1/3 to 2/3. Most people, even those proficient in the dailyuse of computers, are unaware that computers can sometimes provide inaccurate or erroneous results, even whenthey are functioning perfectly. Consequently, we will spend a good deal of effort identifying sources of error andperforming error analyses. When all is said and done, you will not only be able to program numerical algorithms,you will be able to argue that your answers are (well, almost) correct!INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Dave Pruett www.math.jmu.edu/~dpruettRoop 323 / 540-568-6227 [email protected] TEXT: Intro. to Fortran 90 for Engineers and Scientists, by Nyhoff and Leestma, Prentice Hall,1996. NUMERICS TEXT : Notes by Dave Pruett and Anthony Tongen, made available on-line via Blackboard.GRADING:(10 point lettergrade scale)Weight Date40% 7-8 Programming assignments roughly biweekly15% Test I ~Thursday, February 815% Test II ~Thursday, March 2912% Labs and HW daily/weekly18% Comprehensive Final Exam 7-10a.m. Wednesday, May 2 OUTSIDE HELP: Instructor's office hours: as posted on Blackboard and by appointment. No appointment isnecessary during scheduled office hours. Outside those hours, the favor of an appointment is requested.MAKE-UPS: No make-up tests will be given. If a test is missed, for whatever reason, the final exam will beweighted proportionately more heavily.LATE POLICY: Programs will be due by 4:00 p.m. on the due date. Late programs will be assessed a penalty of10% per day for up to 5 days, after which they will no longer be accepted.CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Cell phones and MP3’s OFF before class begins. You are expected to be in class ONTIME. It is disruptive to class when students arrive late or leave early. Habitual offenders will be barred from class iflate.(If you have difficulty getting to class in Burruss from CISAT, please let the instructor know in advance.)HONOR POLICY: JMU students are presumed to have the highest standards of integrity. To reinforce thosestandards, the JMU Honor Code will be strictly enforced. Regarding programs, students are free to discuss theconcepts involved in programming assignments, but the actual coding of an algorithm should be doneindependently and each individual's program should be unique. Functionally or logically identical programs areconsidered violations of the honor code to be prosecuted rigorously.CLASS