Irina Mitrea, 225 Kerchof Hall, im3p@virginia.edu, Phone: 982-2787.
Mathematical Explorations - Math 215 - Spring 2008
Irina Mitrea, 225 Kerchof Hall, im3p@virginia.edu, Phone: 982-2787.
The course provides an introduction to the mathematical software Matlab and Mathematica while engaging the participants in the exploration of classical topics from calculus and introductory linear algebra, to the mathematics behind the secret codes; from prime numbers to exploring the periodicity in the Escher patterns. The course is restricted to second year students.
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~im3p/mathpage215_2008.html
MW 15:30- 16:45 p.m., BRN 203
Irina Mitrea, 225 Kerchof Hall, Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm (or by appointment).
Prelim 1: Wednesday,
February 27th, 15:30-16:45 pm.
Prelim 2: Wednesday,
March 26th, 15:30-16:45 pm.
Final Project Presentations: during lecture meetings -- exact dates TBA
Wednesday, January 16th:
Overview; Can computers compute?
Monday, January 21st:
no class - Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday, January 23rd:
Rational numbers, prime numbers, Fermat numbers, proofs by induction,
introduction to basic Matlab commands (part I)
Monday, January 28th:
class canceled
Wednesday, January 30th:
Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Ratio, introduction to basic Matlab commands
(part 2)
Monday, February 4th:
Matlab - Lab 1
Wednesday, February 6th:
The Bisection Method for root finding problems, Matlab -
Lab 2
Monday, February 11th:
Matrix manipulations, Matlab - Lab 3
Wednesday, February 13th:
Newton's Method for root finding problems, Matlab - Lab 4
Monday, February 11th:
Mathematics, why do it (overview of research and career opportunities in
mathematics), Matlab - Lab 5
Monday, February 25th:
Making Matlab Animations, Matlab - Lab 6
Wednesday, February 27th:
Preliminary Examination 1.
Monday, March 10th:
Modular arithmetic: Caesar's Chipher and the Multiplication Cipher
Wednesday, March 12th:
Cryptanalysis for the Multiplication Cipher, Matlab -
Lab 7
Monday, March 17th:
Introduction to the Multiplication-Shift Cipher, Matlab -
Lab 8
Wednesday, March 19th:
Introduction to the General Multiplication-Shift Cipher,
Matlab - Lab 9
Prelims count 25% each, the final project is worth 30% and the remaining 20% is for homework. 5% bonus points go towards outside class mathematical activities (e.g., UVa Undergraduate Mathematics Lecture Series, Mathematical Contest in Modeling Competition, Math Club).
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: <60
To be handed in during lecture meetings on the dates indicated in the homework outline. Do all problems assigned. These will be graded and returned to you the next week. Please be sure that your work is legible.
No late homework will be accepted. You may work cooperatively on assignments provided
You write up the solution yourself.
You put a note on your homework indicating the names of anyone you worked with.
An incomplete will be given only in those rare circumstances where a student has completed all but a small portion of the course with a grade C or better and a severe, unexpected event prevents him/her from completing the course. In particular, if you get behind in the course you cannot ``bail out" by taking an incomplete.
You are responsible for the material covered in class, whether you attend or not. You are also responsible for the announcements made during class; these may include changes in the syllabus.