• 2008–2009 Course Descriptions (PDF: 2.60MB)
• Department Abbreviations and Course Prefixes
• Catalog Key

MTH 437 : Introduction To Numerical Analysis I

Credits: 4
Semester: F
Prerequisites: CSE 113 or CSE 115; MTH 241, MTH 306, MTH 309 with grades of C or higher or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC/LAB

First part of a 2-semester sequence which explores the design and implementation of numerical methods to solve the most common types of problem arising in science and engineering. Most such problems cannot be solved in terms of a closed analytical formula, but many can be handled with numerical methods learned in this course. Topics for the two semesters include: how a computer does arithmetic, solving systems of simultaneous linear or nonlinear equations, finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of (large) matrices, minimizing a function of many variables, fitting smooth functions to data points (interpolation and regression), computing integrals, solving ordinary differential equations (initial and boundary value problems), and solving partial differential equations of elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic types. We study how and why numerical methods work, and also their errors and limitations. Students gain practical experience through course projects that entail writing computer programs.

Class Schedule: Fall 2009

Class Schedule: Spring 2010