COSC 120     Computational Principles for Mathematicians & Scientists     WINTER 2014

T R 10:30 - 12:20pm     509 PH

Course communication
  1. Course home page -- emunix.emich.edu/~haynes/120/wi14
  2. Email broadcasts -- through my.emich.edu.
Instructor: Professor Susan Haynes
  1. Home page: http://emunix.emich.edu/~haynes
  2. Office: 511E Pray-Harrold
  3. Email: shaynes @ emich.edu
Office Hours: Textbook: Description: Goals:
  1. To understand and be able to make use of algorithmic thinking when problem solving in mathematics and the sciences:
  2. To become a competent programmer in an important scientific/engineering language:
Pedagogical philosophy: This class will be about doing as much as it will be about theory. Think of this class as you would piano lessons or golf lessons. You should code every single day for at least 15 minutes.

Grading:
Programming & Homework 40%
Final Exam (cumulative) 15%
Labs (during class) 45% (late labs docked 25%)

Assignment of grades:

  1. 91 - 100% A range
  2. 81 - 90% B range
  3. 71 - 80% C range
  4. 61 - 70% D range
Late homework and late labs: No! Turn them in early instead!

Academic Honesty: I expect you to behave according to the highest possible ethical standards. If you claim anyone else's work as your own, or if you allow someone else to claim your work, you will receive an E in this class. Additionally, I will report your name to the Dean of Students for possible expulsion. Warning: the Internet is seductive; there is a lot of publicly accessible material out there. I will tell you when and how it will be acceptable to cannibalize code for a project. It is never acceptable to cannibalize text (e.g., for a paper). Do not plagiarize! Theft is beneath you.

Caveat: This syllabus and the course outline will be changed as I deem pedagogically necessary or preferable. I will publish written changes to the syllabus. Such a change may require a change in grading rubric.