Math 451: Computational Mathematics

1.1 Welcome to Computational Mathematics with MATLAB

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1.1.1 Linear Algebra

We need some material that will help us get started with vectors and matrices . While these topics are not pre-requisites, they will really help us to understand the mathematical tools we will use to study mathematical computations and programming. These tools that are used throughout the course. I will introduce these subjects when they come up in our course and refer you back to this page and these videos to understand these tools.

Before you view my lectures on Chapter 1 or attempt any homework assignments you should view and study the first five videos about linear algebra. Remember that they were mentioned in our overview video.

• Vectors, what even are they?
• Span
• Linear Transformations
• Matrix Multiplication
• 3D Transformations

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1.1.2 Calculus

We are going to use differential and integral calculus to study mathematical models and numerical programming. Keep in mind that we will extensively use your previous mathematics courses. Many of the topics you studied in pre-requisite courses, like for instance Taylor Series were covered to prepare you for numerical computations. In addition, we will perform computations on arrays of numbers or data.

1.1.3 How do we study Programming?

Programming is the act of writing and composition. Like any writing class we will study by doing. That is write our own compositions, or programs and scripts, that implement our ideas and perform computations on our data according to our mathematical models. Learning to write programs follows the same steps that we use to learn to write in any language.

1. Learn the elements and vocabulary of the language in which we are about to compose programs.
2. Read simple prose (programs) written by others to help us understand how to use the elements of the language to compose good programs.
3. Write our own programs using the writing techniques we learn from studying the language and reading the works of others.

1.1.4 What to Expect in This Course

In this course students are expected to read the assigned material, study assigned videos and review the upcoming assignment in blackboard before attending our live stream class. A live stream will be broadcast during the normal assigned lecture time. The live sessions will primarily be a recitation , where ideas from the readings are reinforced; not lectured for the first time. Students are encouraged to attend as many of these sessions as possible. The live streams will be recorded and posted on the Mathematics Department YouTube Channel in our respective playlists.

There will be several exercises and a project due every two weeks. The exercises are short programs assigned to demonstrate specific skills. Projects are broader assignments where new skills and previous skills are combined to demonstrate mastery of the subject. The projects will be elementary in the beginning of the semester and grow in difficulty as the semester progresses. A final project will allow students to demonstrate their semester progress.

All assignments are to be complete MATLAB programs, or scripts if a script is specifically requested in the assignment. Assignment submissions are made to Blackboard by opening the assignment and uploading a single file with all necessary files to run the program compressed into a single zip, tar, gz or 7z archive. Grades will be posted in blackboard.

There is an online midterm exam and a final project. Assignments make up 60% of your grade, the midterm exam 10%, and the final project is 30%.

1.1.5 Getting Started

There are several different resources students and faculty can use for access to MatLab. Wichita State University has several computer labs on campus.

• The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics has two computer labs for classroom use.
  
  
• Alah Library computers have MatLab access.
  
  
• All engineering computer labs have MatLab access for engineering majors only
  
  
• The John Bardo Center computer lab has MatLab access.
  
  
• The Wichita State University Office of Disability Services has a computer lab available for students requiring adaptive computer access.
  
  
• The BeoShock High Performance Computing provides MatLab support.
  
  

We will complete daily classroom exercises in our classroom computer lab. Students will also have access to BeoShock for homework.

1.1.6 Virtual Private Networking

The Beoshock system can be accessed directly on campus or from satellite campus computers. However before connecting to BeoShock remotely, you must connect your remote computing device to the Wichita State University network. This means you must first establish a virtual private networking (VPN) connection to the University. The steps listed on the previous link require students to download and install special software using your Username and Password. Two factor authentication may be required. One Stop can help you get your VPN software installed on your device, and get your device connected to the Wichita State Network.

You should use a VPN connection to the University purposefully. This means that you should only connect to the University network when you need access to University server resources, and then disconnect using the VPN software when you are done. While connected via VPN to the University Network, all of your Internet traffic will be routed from your device, through the University network, and finally to the outside world. This means that all of your Internet use will be filtered for content and recorded. The Wichita State University Acceptable Use Policies will apply.

1.1.7 BeoShock

All Wichita State University students may access BeoShock. We created an account for you for the term of you enrollment in Math 451, however you must maintain your own account All Wichita State University students may access BeoShock . We created an account for you for the term of you enrollment in Math 451, however you must maintain your own account outside the term of enrollment. Any student may request user access using this link.

1.1.8 OnDemand

Once you are logged onto a campus computing device connected to the University network, or connected via VPN to the University Network, OnDemand provides an integrated, single access point for all of your HPC resources.

1. Open the OnDemand in a compliant web browser. If may need to provide your Wichita State University Username and Password.
   
   
   
2. Select Log In if necessary to navigate to the OnDemand Home Page.
   
   
   

3. Using the ribbon at the top of the webpage, select the drop-down list box Interactive Apps , and also select MATLAB. Select and enter the following values:

   • MATLAB version R2021a

   • Number of hours 4

   • Number of cores 4

   • Amount of memory 8
     
     
     

4. Click the Launch button
   
   
   

5. Click the Launch MATLAB button when the session has been successfully created.
   
   
   

6. You should now have two tabs open in your browser; the interactive OnDemand session page, and the MATLAB session page. Returning to your interactive session tab, you can select the Files drop-down list box in the ribbon and Home Directory to open a third tab to your account cloud file storage. You can Download files from this cloud drive to your local device, and Upload files from your device to your account.
   
   
   

You are now ready to

• Enter commands at the MATLAB command prompt on the MATLAB session page.
• Create, run and debug MATLAB programs and scripts.
• Copy files to your online storage, and download your files to your local device so that you can submit them to Blackboard.

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