MAT 305: Mathematical Computing

Spring 2017

Instructor information

Instructor:	Dr. John Perry
Office:	Southern Hall, 317C
Office Hours:	MW 9-10a, MW 3⋅30-5⋅30p (this one sometimes on the coast campus), TTh 9⋅30-10⋅30a, TTh 2-3p
Office Phone:	601·266·5505
Email:	john.perry@usm.edu
Instructor’s web page:	http://www.math.usm.edu/perry/
Class web page:	http://www.math.usm.edu/perry/mat305sp17/
Class meeting times and locations:	MWF 10-10⋅50a SH205

Course information

Course Description:

Introduction to symbolic mathematical problem solving using computer based systems.

Prerequisite:

MAT 280 (Multivariable Calculus, but as far as I’m concerned you can have it as a co-requisite).

Texts and media:

Required:

a SageMathCloud account (free!)
Peering into Mathematics through Sage-colored Glasses. Harris, Kohl, Perry; lulu.com, Third Revision, 18th October 2016

Optional, listed mostly for historical reasons:

The SAGE computer algebra system on your own computer. (I can burn it onto a DVD for you if you desire.)
Python Programming: an Introduction to Computer Science. Zelle; Franklin, Beedle & Associates, Inc., 2004.
Mathematical Computing: An Introduction to Programming Using Maple. Betounes and Redfern; Springer TELOS, 2002.
The Maple computer algebra system. (I cannot give you a copy, and I will not require you to work in this system.)

Grading policies

Evaluation criteria

Your grade depends on a weighted average of projects and assignments. A list of weights appears below. At any point during the semester, you may determine your standing by multiplying the average for each category by the category’s weight, then adding the products.

Written assignments (homework, tests, etc.)	25% of total
Programming projects	35% of total
Tests (midterm, final)	40% of total

Grading scale

100-90 A

89.99-80 B

79.99-70 C

69.99-60 D

59.99-0 F

There is no curve.

Late assignments

Any assignment turned in past the specified due date and time will receive a grade lowered by one letter grade for each school day late.

Makeup work

I do not give makeup tests/quizzes/etc. without an excused absence. If you must miss class, then you must also produce documentation of the reason for your absence. If you were sick, you can show me the receipt from the hospital or doctor; if you had a sports event, you can show me the schedule; if someone died, you can show me an obituary notice; if the tire on your car blew out, you can show me the receipt from the mechanic.

Other policies

Use a pencil.

Work that is written in pen will be penalized.

Mobile phone

I expect you to turn your phone off once class begins, and to leave it off. If you absolutely must use the phone, please step out of class, take care of business, then return. If you use the phone in the class, I will ask you to leave. If you do not comply with this request, you will forfeit the next test. If you use the phone during a test, even as a calculator, you will forfeit the test.

Relevant wisdom from Calvin and Hobbes

Image copyright Bill Watterson.
Usage is for educational purposes, and falls under the principle of “fair use.”
Clicking on the image will take the reader to the source.

Important dates (copied from registrar’s website)

The last day to add/drop a full-semester course without academic/financial penalty is 24th January.
Last day to receive a 100% refund is 24th January.
Last day to drop class without instructor’s permission is 24th January.
Last day to make an add/drop course request or withdraw from the university and receive a grade of W is 5th April 2017.
Final Exam Date: Monday, 8th May 2017, 10⋅45a-1⋅15p.

Statement on academic integrity

All students at the University of Southern Mississippi are expected to demonstrate the highest levels of academic integrity in all that they do. Forms of academic dishonesty include (but are not limited to):

Cheating (to include copying from others’ work)
Plagiarism — representing another person’s words or ideas as your own; failure to properly cite the source of your information, argument, or concepts
Falsification of documents
Disclosing of test or other assignment content to another student
Submission of the same paper or other assignment to more than one class without the explicit authorization of all faculty members involved
Unauthorized collaboration with others on work for online courses

Engaging in any of these behaviors or supporting others who do so will result in academic penalties and/or other sanctions. If a faculty member determines that a student has violated our academic integrity policy, sanctions ranging from resubmission of work to course failure may occur, including the possibility of receiving a grade of “XF” for the course, which will be on the student’s transcript with the notation “Failure due to academic misconduct.” For more details, please see the university’s Academic Integrity Policy: https://www.usm.edu/institutional-policies/policy-acaf-pro-12. Note that repeated acts of academic misconduct will lead to expulsion from the university.

Statement on disability accommodations

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies.

Address:

The University of Southern Mississippi
Office for Disability Accommodations
118 College Drive # 8586
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Voice Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232
Fax: (601) 266-6035
Individuals with hearing impairments can contact
ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service
at 1-800-582-2233 (TTY) or
email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu.