Instructor: Eduardo Gonzalez.
Office: 3-116. Math Tower.
email: eduardo at math.sunysb.edu

Description: This course serves as an introduction to computing for the math student. After a general introduction to the use of the computers, including use of email and the world-wide-web, we will turn to more mathematical problems. We will try to keep the emphasis in this course on the "problem solving" portion of the title: we will take a series of problems and try to find solutions (or approximate solutions), keeping in mind that we have access to computers. The discussion of the problems and development of necessary mathematics will be done in the classroom, and then we will turn to the computers to explore and work out the solutions.

Text: We will follow mostly the text: Notes for math331, Mathematical Problem Solving with Computers by Santiago Simanca and Scott Sutherland. You can download the notes in PDF format. If you prefer, you may read the notes on your browser (in html format) from this web page.

Computers:We will use the math computer lab in S-235 of the math tower; this lab contains 30 Sun workstations running Unix, as well as a number of PCs running Windows. We will be using the Unix machines in class; however, much of the work can be done on other systems. We will rely heavily on Maple (a program that can do algebra, calculus, graphics, etc.), although if other tools are better suited to the task, we may make use of them. No previous experience with computers is needed. Maple is available for most platforms (Windows, Macintosh, Unix, etc.); student version of Maple can be purchased from the Seawolves Market. Each CD will be about $5. You can also use the campus modem pool to dial-in to the mathlab computers, or access them via the internet.

Syllabus:The syllabus will be updated according to the progress of the class.
I will try to keep a copy of the worksheet on-line for all classes. You need to download the file, copy it into your hard drive, start a session of Maple and open the file with Maple.

CLASSES

1/29

2/03

2/10. And the example in class.

2/12. And the example in class.

2/17.

2/19.

2/24.

3/02.

3/04.

3/11.

3/16.

3/18.

3/30. Note that the code for the affine cipher did not work in class because of the variable type declarations. You may find the correction in this other worksheet

4/01.

4/13.

4/15.

4/20. For this class (and the following classes) you need the file turtle.txt

4/22.

4/28.

PROJECTS

Project #1 You need to get the data files. Note that you may need to sort the points in the second part (splines) respect to the 'x' coordinate. Also note that for the first part, the computations may take a few minutes.

Project #2. Due on April 13 (After Spring break.) Deadline has been extended to April 15.

Project #3. Due on May 11. Some useful links are in here.

HOMEWORKS

Homework #1(due 2/17): Do all Problems in Chapter One of the Notes. Also do the following problem. Plot a circle with radius 4 and center (-1,3). In the same graph, plot the tangent lines at four different points of the circle.

Homework #2(due 3/18): Take one of the poems here. Encode it into a file as we did for the 3/16 class. e-mail me the "encoded" file and the "key" that you used to encode. I should be able to decode the file with this information.

Projects and Homework problems: There will be a number of homework problems assigned (submitting your homework click here), as well as three or four projects. On the projects you will be expected to spend a significant amount of time doing them, as well as taking care of the presentation. Working together on the projects is encouraged, although each student will be responsible for turning in a write-up of the problem and solution. This should contain a detailed description of the problem or topic, what means were used in solve it, and the solution. These write-ups should be produced by each student individually, and should be detailed enough so that someone who has not taken the class can read and understand them, and will believe the solution is correct. These write-ups are often acceptable for the mathematics writing requirement.
Prerequisites: C or higher in MAT 203 or 205 or AMS 261.
Grading Policy: Your grade will be based on the projects, the homeworks, and in-class participation.There will be no exams. Both the expository and computational aspects of the project write-ups will be graded. I expect you to read along in the text, and actively participate in classroom discussions.

• Homework problems: 20%
• Projects: 70%-75%
• Class Participation: 5%-10%

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information, go to the following web site: http://www.ehs.stonybrook.edu/fire/disabilities.asp