Course: Mathematics 210 A, Introduction to Computer Algebra Systems (CAS), Fall 2002, Central College.
Professor: Tom Linton , 312 B Central Hall, (641) 628-5264, email: lintont@central.edu.
Class Meets: T-Th 2:00 to 2:50 PM in Central Hall 313, for half of the semester (8-27 to 10-15).
Office Hours: 1 PM Mon, 9 AM Tues, 1 PM Th, 11 AM Fri, or by appointment.
Text: Schaum's Outlines Mathematica, by Eugene Don.
Web Details: The class web page can be accessed from http://www.central.edu/homepages/lintont and information relevant to this course may come via email. We will attempt to use Blackboard for picking up and handing in assignments fore this class.
Final Exam: No final exam is planned for this class.

Class 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.

Goals and Objectives Upon completing this class, students will

Grades

This class is only offered on a pass-no credit basis. At this time, I see no reason for exams nor quizzes, but I reserve the right to schedule midterm and final exams, or quizzes (if I get the feeling that everyone is working diligently on the class, there will be no exams or quizzes, but ...). I believe the best way to learn Mathematica is by using the software to investigate and solve problems that interest you and, on occasion, to write about your experiences in a meaningful manner. To this end, we will work through several modules or activities (8 or 9 in all). The modules were written here at Central and are designed to introduce various features of Mathematica in a mathematical context (thus, some mathematical background will prove useful). Each activity will have a short writing assignment to go with it. To receive credit for the class, you will need to complete each activity, and its writing component in a satisfactory manner (score about 70% or better). I will drop one assignment, if your class participation is high. All work submitted for this class will be done electronically (typically a Mathematica notebook). I encourage you to work in groups on most of these assignments (this does not mean that copying other's answers is allowed however), but certain things must be completed individually.

Class Participation and Attendance: There will be 70 points based on your class participation (asking questions, taking part in discussions, contributing to your group in activities, etc.) and attendance. You must score at least 50 of these 70 points to pass this class. You are responsible for all of the material covered in class each day, even if you are not present.

Late assignments and academic dishonesty: Late activities, etc. will be penalized by 10% each lecture they are late. Plagiarism, or copying answers from other people or books without citing the source is a serious offense and will result in no credit for the work.  It is OK to discuss your answers with other groups on group assignments, but  the work you turn in must be your own.

American Disabilities Act: Central College abides by interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that stipulates no student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap.”  Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, hearing, sight or mobility impairments, and other health related impairments.  If you have a documented disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see me and Nancy Kroese, Director of Student Support Services and Disability Services Coordinator, (x5247) so that such accommodations may be arranged.

Materials

Off Site Links
Hundreds of links to Mathematica related things are located at Wolfram.com. Be sure to look at MathSource.
A list of many Mathematica related sites (not all of which are useful).
Local Activities
Start of class survey on background and feelings.
An introduction to Mathematica, its quirks, cells, power, and Help Browser.
A look at 2D graphics objects for drawing things.
Pinning down the hills and valleys on the graphs of functions.
The wonderfully powerful Table command.
An activity on powers of powers and sequences.
Looking at IRAs with a variable return rate, and function writing.
Functions with 2 inputs (x and y) and 3D graphics objects.
Using the gradient to climb hills and sink submarines.
Coloring graphs of functions in pieces.

Schedule

Relevant information will be added to 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/fall02/cas/cas.htm#schedule.
 
Week
Dates
Sections in text
Assignment
1
8-27, 29
Chapter 1
2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 4.1, 4.2
Initial Survey
Mathematica introduction 
2D Graphics activity
2
9-3, 5
3.1, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2, 8.2
Hills and Valleys activity
3
 9-10, 12
 chapter 3
2.9 and 2.10
 The Table command
 powers of powers activity
4
 9-17, 19
 2.9, 2.10, chapter 3
 IRAs with variable earnings
5
 9-24,26
 chapter 5
 3D graphics
6
 10-1,3
 chapter 5
 Gradient Search
7
 10-8, 10
  
 Automatic coloring of graphs
 9 10-16 Class complete