Welcome to Physics 5,
Scientific Computing--Spring 2004

This is the welcome page for the Spring 2004 session of College of the Desert's Scientific Computing, Physics 5.

In this course, we will consider both theoretical and practical issues involved in creating C++ code to solve problems, especially problems from science and mathematics. We will begin using the old-fashioned procedural approach and move towards implementing components of the more modern object-oriented design.

I consider Introduction to Scientific Computing one of the most fun courses for teaching (and learning) science and math because it provides an excellent opportunity to consider the relationship between theory (especially theories involved in solving problems math and science) and practice (implementing algorithms on a computer).

In order to provide up-to-date information, and to spare the processing of biomass into parchment, I hope to make this as much of a "paperless" course as possible.

Instructor: Geoff Hagopian, office: Math 12, email: ghagopian@colleGEOFthedesert.edu; phone: 776-7223.

Lecture and lab times: TR: 2:00-4:20, alternating (at least initially) between B6 and B11. The first hour of the meetings are designated for lecture and the later 1.5 hours are designated for lab. In practice, this division of time may be more fluid, allowing for hands-on time during lecture and spot lectures during lab.

Textbook: How To Program in C++, Deitel & Deitel, 4th ed. http://www.deitel.com/books/downloads.html
The web site for this book contains a wealth of resources (if you're on the internet, click on the link above.)

TIME\DAY	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
10-10:15	Math 2B - Linear Algebra	Office Time			Office Time
10:15 -11:05		Math 2B - Linear Algebra
1:30-2:00	Math 13 - Liberal Arts Math	Office Time	Math 13 - Liberal Arts Math	Office Time
2:00-3:40		Physics 5 - Scientific Computing		Physics 5 - Scientific Computing
3:40-4:20	Office Time		Office Time
5-7:05	Math 13 - Liberal Arts Math		Math 13 - Liberal Arts Math

Office hours: Please refer to the above schedule for my office hours. I am also available by appointment.

Deliverables: Every week there will be a collection of assignments corresponding to reading in the text and elsewhere. As a result of all this you will turn in various written assignments (in business parlance: deliverables) which will be graded.

• Written Assignments: These may include on-line or pencil/paper quizzes in various formats such as multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short essay, etc. These are designed to help you get acquainted with the vocabulary and theoretical concepts to be successful in designing computer programs in C++.  Go to this page for instructions.
• Programming Projects: This course is all about inventing C++ code to accomplish various computing tasks. Bearing in mind that this is first course in computing science, the programs you will be asked to write will be very basic, console-oriented (input and output involved in the program will be limited to ascii text data, not graphics), but will be plenty interesting and challenging nonetheless. A big part of this will involve debugging your code. This can be quite time-consuming and even frustrating. You are encouraged to consult with me and your classmates--but ultimately you must invent your own code and to understand it all by yourself!  The programming projects are listed here.
• Exams: There will be midterm and final in-class exams.

Grading: Programming projects: 30%; Written assignments: 30%; Examss: 40% (20% midterm, 20% final)

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Disclaimer: All these web pages are subject to change at any time.