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Syllabus for Math 210: Introduction to Computer Algebra System
Fall 2000, Central College.

Jump to the class schedule and assignments section.

Professor: Tom Linton, 312 B Central Hall, campus phone (641) 628-5264, email: lintont@central.edu.
Office Hours: 10 AM Mon and Fri, 1 PM Tues and Wed, or by appointment.
Class Meets: 12:30 to 1:20 PM Thursdays in Central Hall 310.
Text: Mathematica: A Practical Approach, 2nd Edition, by Nancy Blachman and Colin Williams.
Class DropFolder: Hand in and pick up things at G:\Lintont\Math210\

Course overview

This is a ONE-CREDIT class designed to give you a solid background in using a Computer Algebra System (CAS). We will explore Mathematica, one of the leading CAS's in today's marketplace. Mathematica is an incredibly useful and powerful piece of software, capable of adding enormous insight into a wide variety of problems and flat out solving many questions that you might encounter in a variety of courses. Mathematica contains commands that perform nearly all of the skills taught through the sophomore mathematics curriculum (so it can solve and plot equations, maximize functions, factor polynomials, take derivatives or antiderivatives, invert matrices, and much more) as well as a full programming language (much more robust than BASIC, PASCAL or C). Our primary goal will be to gain an appreciation for this program's power and usefulness and to learn enough about Mathematica so that we readily turn to Mathematica to investigate (or solve) challenging problems in future classes. This will be a challenging goal that is well worth your serious time and commitment.

Grades

This class is given only on a pass-no credit basis. At this time, I see no reason for exams, but I reserve the right to schedule both midterm and final exams (if I get the feeling that everyone is working diligently on the class, there will be no exams, but ...). We will have regular homework assignments (from the problems in the text) and on-line quizzes: 2 to 4 questions from a given chapter that are very similar (in difficulty level) to the homework problems. The homework and quizzes are designed to ensure that you work through the text. I encourage you to work in groups on the homework assignments (this does not mean copying other's answers is allowed however), but the quizzes will be individual efforts. To receive credit for the class, you will need to score about 70% (or better) on each homework assignment and on-line quiz. All work submitted for this class will be electronic (typically a Mathematica notebook).

I believe that the best way to learn Mathematica is by using the software to investigate and solve problems that interest you. The quizzes and homework assignments fall severely short in this regard, thus there will be 4 substantial projects assigned in this class as well. Each will involve using Mathematica to investigate and solve some problem. I will attempt to select several problems for each project and you may suggest others (from other courses or interests you might have). The first project will involve several simple commands (mostly from calculus) being used together to investigate a messy problem. Other projects will emphasize word processing, programming, graphics and lists. To pass the course, you will need to receive a passing grade on each project.

If any student has a physical, learning or psychiatric disability that restricts the development or expression of your gifts, please feel free to let me know so that we can, when possible, make accommodations that will enhance your classroom experience.

Late assignments and academic dishonesty

This course will be self paced (so late homework or quizzes do not exist) but the projects will have due dates and late projects will drop in value with each class day that they are late. Copying answers (on homework or projects) from others is NOT allowed and will result in no-credit for that work.

Schedule

Relevant information will be added this schedule as we progress through the semester. An up to date version is available on line at http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont/classes/fall00/cas/210syll.html#schedule.
 
WEEK
DATES
 SECTION(S) ASSIGNMENTS
   1
8-31
 chapter 1 Online intro to Mathematica
1. 1,1.2,1.5,1.7
   2
9-7
 chapter 2 2. 1,2.2,2.5,2.6,2.13,2.15
   3
9-14
 project 1 project 1 notebook 
  4
9-21
 chapter 3 3. 1,2,3,4,6,10
  5
9-28
 chapter 4 4. 1,3,5,6,8,12,13
  6
10-5
 chp5 and 6 5. 1,3
6. 1,2,4,6,7,9
  7
10-12
 chapter 7 7. 2,4
  8
10-19
 chapter 8 project 2 notebook.
chp 8 #1,2,5,6
  9   chapter 10 chp 10#1,2,3,8,10
 10   chapter 12 chp 12#1,2,3,4,6
  12-18 (Mon) 3:30 PM Final Exam (if needed)  

This personal page is maintained by Tom Linton, email: lintont@central.edu. Last updated December 4, 2000.

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this page are the responsibility of Tom Linton and do not necessarily reflect Central College  policies or official positions."