CSCI 145: Scientific Programming Syllabus   Spring 2006

Lecturer: Professor Kim Druschel

Office Hours: M 3-4, T, F 1-2 and by appointment
Office: Ritter Hall 108
phone: 977-8174
email:    kim.druschel@gmail.com

Textbooks: “MATLAB Programming for Engineers”, Chapman, Thomson.
 “Engineering Problem Solving with C++”, Etter & Ingber, Prentice Hall.

Catalog Description: Co or Pre-requisite: MATH142 or MATH132 or equivalent. Elementary computer programming concepts will be taught with an emphasis on problem solving and applications to scientific and engineering. Topics include data acquisition and analysis, simulation and scientific visualization. Examples with be taken from engineering and scientific applications. Credit will not be given for both CSCI145 and CSCI150.

Course Objectives:
• Students will acquire skills in basic programming constructs: loops, conditions, functions, input and output
• Learning data representation: basic data types, strings, arrays, multi-dimensional arrays, lists and dictionaries
• Incorporating the use of existing software libraries and packages into their programming
• Learn how to use external software for visualization of data
• Develop skills in simulating real world events

Grades / assessment:
Two one hour exams: 100 points each
Final exam: 200 points
Written homework, programming assignments, quizzes, in class participation: 350 points (The majority will be from programming assignments.)
Total of 750 points.
Letter grade is based on percentage: 92% or greater earns an A, 88% or better an A-, 85% or better a B+, 82% or better a B, 78% or better a B- ,75% or better a C+,72% or better a C, 68% or better a C-, 60% or better a D, below 60% an F.

Late homework, missed exams: Homework scores will be decreased by 20% if the homework is late by less than two days, by 50% if more than two days. Your lowest exam score (including a 0 from a missed exam) is replace by 1/2 your final exam score provided you show you have learned the material to that extent.

Assignments are due at midnight the day they are due. Assignments are usually written up on my web page but they may only be given as part of in class notes, so pay attention to both. Matlab programs should be sent to me as email attachments. Later, C++ programs will be dropped in my hw folder on Turing. Programs should be well commented and formatted with your name, the date of completion, and a brief explanation, as comments at the beginning.  Programs should have names which reflect your name and the assignment, eg "druschelhw2pt4.m".

Tenative schedule: Exam 1: Friday, March 3, Matlab, scientific computation topics, chpt 1 – 5 , 6.3,6.5,6.6 of  Chapman text
 Exam 2:  Friday, April 28, chpts 2- 8  Etter text
 Final:  Monday, May 8, 2:00-3:50
 

Academic Honesty: Students are expected to have read and to abide by the University statement on Academic Integrity available on page 56 of the Saint Louis University’s Undergraduate Catalog. The College of Arts & Science provides a more detailed policy statement, at http://www.slu.edu/colleges/AS/academichonesty.html, which applies within the College and thus to this course.
Special note for  assignments: Unless otherwise specified all programming and written assignments are to be done solely by you with no help from fellow classmates, the internet, your roommate, etc. You may get help from me or from teaching assistants but you should note in your assignment where you got help. I may ask you to explain how you programmed something if I ever have a doubt.

Students with Special Needs - Disability Services
Any student who feels that he/she may need academic accommodations in order to meet the requirements of this course-as outlined in the syllabus, due to presence of a disability, should contact the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action.  Please telephone the office at 314-977-8885, or visit DuBourg Hall Room 36. Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries.