MA 685-01: Topics in computational mathematics

Spring 2017

Section 1

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/mat685sp17/
Class meeting times
and locations:
TTh 11a-12⋅15p SH205

Course information

Course Description:

The desired outcomes are
  1. Familiarity with programming, with a transferability to other languages
  2. Experience with C++
  3. Introduction to design: procedures and objects
  4. Hands-on experience with external project

Prerequisite:

“Mathematical maturity.” It is highly recommended that you have had some programming background, but only because this is my first time teaching the course. It is not required.

Texts and media:

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.

Homework (book, Dr. Perry specials, etc.) 40% of total
Programming projects 20% of total
Tests (hopefully two + 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)

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): 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.