ENGR 17
Technical Computing with MATLAB

Spring 2011

Instructor:  Tom Rebold   Phone:  645-1327                Office: BH-104A Office Hours: M/W/Th 2-3, W5-6,F4:30-5:30	Credit:  3 units Classroom: GC103       Time: T/Th 4-6 PM Tell me about yourself!     (delete last letter of URL)
Class web site:  http://www.mpcfaculty.net/tom_rebold/ENGR17.htm    Homework Uploader  Feedback

Prereq:         MATH 20A 

Text:            William J Palm III, Introduction to MATLAB 8 for Engineers, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill, ©2011, ISBN 9780073534879

Recmnd:       Rudra Pratap, Getting Started with MATLAB, Oxford University Press, 2010, ISBN 9780199731244

Misc:           We will be using Matlab  in this class. These will be made available for student use in GC103, the Math Lab, and student versions are available online.  How to Get MATLAB Student Version 

                    A free Matlab-like program called  Freemat  is available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux.
                    For an overview of another great tool for engineering computing, see WolframAlpha Overview

Course description:

This course introduces technical computing using the MATLAB environment. Topics include programming techniques, data visualization, numerical problem solving, symbolic manipulation and simulation. Representative examples are drawn from mathematics, science, and engineering.

Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 18 or 20A

Student Learning Outcomes:
   1.    Students will be able to  use MATLAB to solve basic technical problems in engineering, math and science
   2.  Students will be able to apply programming concepts of variables, functions and flow structures in order to solve more complicated technical problems

Objectives: Students will be able to

1. Solve complex technical problems that often prove too difficult for analytical methods.
2. Develop MATLAB scripts implementing programming solutions for a problem.
3. Interpret data using 2D and 3D visualization methods
4. Apply numerical integration and differentiation to the solution of calculus related problems
5. Solve simultaneous equations and apply least squares techniques
6. Use the symbolic toolbox of MATLAB to process math equations and transforms analytically

Topic Outline 

Course Grading

You will be expected to complete 13 regular assignments, 3 tests, a final project, and a final exam.

The  total weights of different course activities:

13 Assignments                                                             30 %
3 Tests                                                                          30 %                     
Final Project                                                                 10%
Final Exam                                                                    30 %

            A - 90%
            B - 80%
            C - 70%
            D - 60%

All assignments are due on Tuesday, start of class each week. After midnight Friday night, homework will lose 1 point. After midnight Sunday night homework will lose 2 points. After midnight Monday night (13 days after handed out), homework will receive 0 points

Homework

 50% of your grade is for completeness (all problems attempted), and 50% for correctness. Assignment programs shall be turned in using the homework uploader link.

Exams and Tests

Tests are closed book, allow 1 sheet (2 sided) of notes, and focus on a portion of the text,  the Final Exam is open book, covers the entire class, and provides an opportunity to assimilate and integrate the new and sometimes challenging concepts we discover each week, therefore,

EVERYONE MUST TAKE THE FINAL!

UNEXCUSED TEST ABSENCES

You must present medical evidence for failure to appear for a test. Otherwise you get zero for that test or lab. A total of three tests will be offered.

CHEATING

Occasionally I have caught students cheating. The standard policy is to give a grade of F for both participants and if deemed necessary make a visit to the Dean of Students with the cheaters. We have had very serious cases in which the students were dropped from the course and suspended from taking courses at MPC. This goes on your record and of course is not viewed favorably by other schools and employers who want and need to trust you.

DROPPING THE CLASS

 If you wish to drop the class go to the registration office and officially drop BEFORE the last drop date. Do not depend on me to drop you If you do not do an official drop then you will get a grade of F for the course. I am not allowed to give you a W after the last drop date.