Course Syllabus

EAS621, MTH599/499 and PHY495

Scientific Computing, Mathematics, and Physics Research Seminar

Professional Preparation Program

Fall 2016, UMass Dartmouth

This course will satisfy University Study 5-B (Learning through Engagement)

Place and Time

The class meets once a week on Wednesday: 3:00 - 5:30 PM in room: SENG108.

Master Syllabus and Course Description

The master syllabus and course description will follow MTH440 for MTH499/PHY495, MTH540 for MTH599 and EAS621, which is available from the university website.

Grades

Your grades are available in mycourses.

Mathematics Department Secretary

Jill Peters, the Math Department's secretary serves as the point of contact person with industry leaders, and matching students with internships. She will act as a project manager to ensure all dates, requirements, and deadlines are met, as well as handle all administrative tasks associated with this program.

Presentations

Presentations should be kept to about at most 15 minutes. Shorter is also fine. Working in groups is fine. Individuals working in groups must take turns in taking the lead in a presentation. Vigorous questioning of presenters is expected: please do it, often!

What's valued?

The things most valued in this class are:
  1. Engagement. This is evidenced by participation in class, asking questions, by writing up thoughts on a blog (or report on collaborative sharelatex environment) after class, by reading ahead, by bringing questions to class.

  2. Honesty. This is a basic scientific attribute. If you do not know something, or how to do something, say so. If you tried to work out a procedure, follow and algorithm, implement some code, and couldn't, then say so. Basic honesty let's people trust you - they know they can believe what you say. Also, it takes pressure of others if they know you are just struggling to understand, like them.

  3. Ideas. This is basic scientific currency. Science cannot proceed without ideas. Where do ideas come from? Good question, but come they do. When they do, let everyone else know about them, crazy or not.

Attendance & focus of attention

Attendance is mandatory, as is being on-task and participating in class activities - particularly presenting, and listening to, and asking questions of, presenters.

Three (3) missed classes without explanation may result in a grade of F without further discussion.

Tips

If the mathematical models are too hard, you may solve simpler models numerically to plot solutions in order to gain more insight. Since this is not a numerical analysis class, utilizing ready to use software, specialized package, and free toolboxes to help your numerical experiments are recommended. In short, your final report is like your neat research diary organized in the style of research paper that contains your numerical experiments, mathematical derivations, advises from your classmates, and discussions to make things clear for you.

Having a private research diary in sharelatex and in a git repository such as bitbucket that can be shared with other students and instructors is recommended. The git repository can also be used to upload your research codes to promote reproducible research, which can later be included in your linkedin CV.