MAT 331 
Mathematical Problem Solving with Computers
FALL 2003 
 
MWF 11:45am-12:40pm Math Tower S235

Instructor:
Araceli M. Bonifant  
Office: Math Tower 4-107
Phone: 632-8275
Email: bonifant@math.sunysb.edu

Office Hours:
Monday:13:00-14:00
                         Wednesday: 13:00 -14:00

Text:
Here you can download the text: Notes for Mat331, Mathematical Problem Solving with Computers, by Santiago Simanca and Scott Sutherland, Summer 2002 edition.  

About the course:
After a general introduction to the use of the computers, including use of email and the world-wide-web, we will turn to more mathematical problems. We will try to keep the emphasis in this course on the problem solving portion of the title: we will take a series of problems and try to find solutions or approximate them, keeping in mind that we have access to computers. The discussion of the problems and development of necessary mathematics will be done in the classroom, and then we will turn to the computers to explore and work out the solutions.

A tentative   syllabus  will be updated according to the progress of the class. Such syllabus will contain also homework assignments and projects.

In order to make it easier for you to keep up with the lectures, any Maple worksheets from each lecture will be available from this page. These are saved in files named by the date of the lecture HERE. Depending on how your browser is set up, you might be able to just click on the worksheets, or you might have to right-click and select "save link as..." and then open them from maple once you have saved a copy. Alternatively, you can open them directly from maple, assuming you are using Maple 6 or 7. (Most of what we do will also work fine in Maple Vr4) If you are logged in to the mathlab system, this directory is /home/mat331/Worksheets and should be readable by anyone.

Computers:
We will use the math computer lab in S-235 of the math tower; this lab contains 30 Sun workstations running Unix, as well as a number of PCs running Windows 2000. We will be using the Unix machines in class; however, much of the work can be done on other systems.   Click here for S-235 mathlab information, including how to set up your math account and mathlab usage guidelines.

We will rely heavily on Maple (a program that can do algebra, calculus, graphics, etc.), although if other tools are better suited to the task, we may make use of them. No previous experience with computers is needed.

Maple is available for most platforms (Windows, Macintosh, Unix, etc.); student version of Maple can be purchased from Waterloo Maple for $120. Seawolves Market Place will be selling the Maple CDs ($5). You can also use the campus modem pool to dial-in to the mathlab computers, or access them via the internet.

Important things to read   click here. 

Projects and Homework problems:
There will be a number of homework problems assigned (submitting your homework   click here),  as well as three or four projects.

On the projects you will be expected to spend a significant amount of time doing them, as well as taking care of the presentation. Working together on the projects is encouraged, although each student will be responsible for turning in a write-up of the problem and solution. This should contain a detailed description of the problem or topic, what means were used in solve it, and the solution. These write-ups should be produced by each student individually, and should be detailed enough so that someone who has not taken the class can read and understand them, and will believe the solution is correct. These write-ups are often acceptable for the mathematics writing requirement.

Prerequisites:
C or higher in MAT 203 or 205 or AMS 261.

Grading Policy:
Your grade will be based on the projects, the homeworks, and in-class participation.There will be no exams. Both the expository and computational aspects of the project write-ups will be graded.
I expect you to read along in the text, and actively participate in classroom discussions.
  • Homework problems:    20%
  • Projects:                          70%-75%
  • Class Participation:         5%-10%

    • Students with Disabilities:
    If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
    Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information, go to the following web site http://www.ehs.stonybrook.edu/fire/disabilities.asp