2019FA_ES_APPM_345-0_SEC1 Applied Linear Algebra

2019FA_ES_APPM_345-0_SEC1 Applied Linear Algebra

Jump to Today

Applied Linear Algebra

Professor: Niall Mangan, niall.mangan@northwestern.edu
Office hours:  Wed 10:30-11:30a, Wed 4:30-5:30p, Thurs. 2-3p.  in Tech M450.
 
We Meet:  Mon and Wed 2-3:30 in Tech M416
Prerequisites: EA4 for NU undergraduates (graduate students should contact me for equivalent)
 
Schedule: 

Homework Policy and Grading

Grades will come from the following:

  • Programming Problem Sets: 8 problem sets (35% of grade). 
  • Conceptual Questions: 8 online quizzes (35% of grade). 
  • 2 Exams (10% of grade each = 20% of grade)
  • Final Project: 10% of grade
Problem sets will consist of Matlab code submitted to an automated grading program. You will have up to 3 chances for submission for each problem. Only final submission counts. 
Conceptual Quiz questions will be online and designed to answer while/after completing the problem set. You will have 2 chances for submission, and the system will average your scores.
Exams will be held on Monday 10/28 and  Monday 12/04 both in class. Note changed 2nd exam date.
Final Project will apply algorithms, code, and concepts to applications. You will write individual reports describing the problem, methodology, and analyzing any results. I will provide a rubric for the report requirements. There will be a few intermediate deadlines for proposing the project and outlining your report. The final report will be due Dec. 10th at midnight during finals week. 
Participation will not be graded. However, please be aware that I make decisions about borderline grade bumps and letters of recommendation based on participation. Constructive activity on the discussion board is an easy way to have documented participation. 
Class Recordings I will be recording my screen and audio during classes.  You can request access to the recordings if you have to miss class due to illness or an extracurricular activity. Please make every effort to attend classes.

Course Description:

Nearly every discipline with a quantitative component including engineering, physical sciences, social sciences, finance, computer graphics, big data, and machine learning rely on linear algebra. Numerical computation greatly enables modeling the data analysis in these fields. In order to utilize linear algebra and computing for problem solving, it is essential to understand how to set up problems (in the linear framework and numerically), determine when well defined solutions exist, write programs and algorithms in MATLAB to solve these problems, evaluate whether the algorithm will find the solution efficiently, and evaluate the accuracy of the computation. For a detailed list of topics see the modules.
 

Textbook & Resources:

We will be using the text Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications by William Ford. A digital copy of the textbook is available through the library.

Here are a few other freely available texts I may also reference:

Matlab Resources

Northwestern provides you with access to MATLAB.

Group work, deadlines, and Academic Honesty policy: 

You are encouraged to discuss and work in groups to understand problem sets and conceptual questions. However, you should write your own code and explanations. 
 
Coding problem sets, conceptual questions, and Final projects submitted within the first 24 hours after the deadline will be accepted but receive an automatic 25% deduction in the grade overall grade (grade = 0.75*points earned).  Coding, problem sets, and Final Projects may not be submitted past 24 hours after the posted deadline unless you have extenuating circumstance (illness, family event, or other factors beyond your control).  Please alert me to such an event and the need for an extension as soon as you are able.  Multiple deadlines from other classes, exams, or general time-management issues do not count as extenuating circumstances.
 
It is NU policy that once you have started an exam you cannot retake or make-up the exam. So if you are feeling unwell or have an extenuating circumstance which will affect your performance contact me as soon as you are able and do not sit for the exam. 
 
Copy-pasting and editing code or explanations on problem sets, conceptual questions, and projects will be considered plagiarism. Do not be a cheater, it does not help you learn the material. You are expected to abide by NU's academic integrity statement.
 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due