EAS 596 Course Syllabus
Introduction to Numerical Mathematics for Data Scientists
Fall 2019
Instructors
Dr. Gary Dargush Dr. David Salac
Bell 223 Jarvis 326
716-645-2315 716-645-1460
Office Hours: W 4:00-6:00 PM Office Hours: MW 2:15-3:30 PM
Teaching Assistants
Betsy McCall Tong Wu
Bell 250 Bell 250
Office Hours: T/Th 3:30-5:30 PM Office Hours: Fr 12:00-4:00 PM
Course Meeting Times
MW, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Dargush), Bell 250
MW, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (Salac), Norton 218
Course Description
• To develop the ability to formulate and solve problems using mathematical methods and
tools
• To apply knowledge gained in lower level mathematics courses
• To introduce concepts and methods of linear algebra
• To introduce a broad range of numerical methods
• To develop the ability to identify, understand, and solve algebraic equations
• To develop the ability to identify, understand, and solve differential equations
• To develop experience with numerical and symbolic mathematical software and their use
in problem solving
Prerequisites Calculus
Textbooks & Other Course Materials There are three required texts:
• G. Strang, Introduction to Linear Algebra, 5th ed., Wellesley-Cambridge Press, 2016.
• L. N. Trefethen, D. Bau, Numerical Linear Algebra, SIAM, 2017.
• L. V. Fausett, Applied Numerical Analysis Using MATLAB, 2nd Ed., Prentice Hall, 2008.
You may find the following other references useful, but they will not be used in the course and
you are not required to purchase them.
• S. C. Chapra, Applied Numerical Methods with Matlab for Engineers & Scientists, 4rd
Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2018.
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• S. S. Rao, Applied Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, Prentice Hall, 2002.
• H. Moore, MATLAB for Engineers, 4th Ed., Pearson, 2015. This book is recommended
to enhance your MATLAB programming skills.
• S. J. Chapman, Essentials of MATLAB Programming, Cengage Learning, 2009.
• W. H. Press, S. A. Teukolsky, W. T. Vetterling, B. P. Flannery, Numerical Recipes: The
Art of Scientific Computing, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Important Dates
• Last Day to Add/Drop — Tuesday, September 3, 2019
• Last Day to Resign — Friday, November 8, 2019
• Midterm Exam — TBD
• Final Exam — 11:45 AM – 2:45 PM, Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Grading Policy Grades will be based on points accumulated from the course requirements.
Course Requirement Percent of Final Grade
Exams (2) 60% (25/35% Each)
Homework Assignments (Approx. 10) 40% (4% Each)
You will be able to drop 1 homework assignment.
Exact cutoffs for specific grades will depend on the level of difficulty of exams and assignments.
These cutoffs will be determined once the final exam has been graded. All sections of EAS
596 will be assigned the same cutoffs. However, the cutoffs will not exceed the following:
Percentage Final Grade
92 A
82 B
72 C
62 D
In certain cases, students may be eligible to receive a temporary incomplete (“I”) grade. Stu-
dents may only be given an “I” grade if they have a passing average in coursework that has been
completed and establish well-defined parameters to complete course requirements. Prior to the
end of the semester, students must initiate the request for an “I” grade and receive the instruc-
tor’s approval. Detailed information is available from the Undergraduate Course Catalog: http:
//undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/grading/explanation.shtml#incomplete.
Computing/MATLAB Most assignments will have a computing component. MATLAB
will be used throughout the course. MATLAB is available on all PCs in the SENS labs and is
available through the “My Virtual Computing Lab” available to all students.
Course Requirements The following table summarizes the requirements of the course.
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Requirement Quantity Material Covered Date
Exams 2
(1) Through numerical linear algebra
(2) Through Integration/Comprehensive
(1) Week 8
(2) Finals Week
Homework
≈ 10
Variable; related to material
covered in lecture
Submitted in-class
Expectations of Students
• Students are expected to act in a professional manner. A student’s grade may be reduced
due to unprofessional or disruptive behavior. Examples include coming to class late,
texting (or otherwise using your cell phone) during class, your cell phone ringing during
class and/or exams, etc.
• Homework assignments will be assigned approximately weekly. Homework assignments
are due at the assigned date and time.
• Homework assignments will be graded and returned to students.
• Late submission of assignments will receive a grade of zero.
• Students are encouraged to discuss assignments and share ideas, but each student must
independently write and submit their own solution.
• Makeup exams will be given in the following circumstances only:
1. You contact the instructor prior to the exam
2. You have a valid and documented reason to miss the exam
– Serious illness or family emergency are acceptable reasons
– Sleeping in, lack of preparation, ennui, grogginess, etc. are not acceptable excuses
Accessibility Services and Special Needs If you have a disability and may require some
type of instructional and/or examination accommodation, please inform me early in the semester
so that we can coordinate the accommodations you may need. If you have not already done
so, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services (formerly the Office of Disability Services)
University at Buffalo, 25 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-1632; email: stu-accessibility@
buffalo.edu Phone: 716-645-2608 (voice); 716-645-2616 (TTY); Fax: 716-645-3116; and on
the web at http://www.buffalo.edu/accessibility/. All information and documentation is
confidential. The University at Buffalo and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are
committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with special needs to participate in and
benefit from all of its programs, services and activities.
Academic Integrity This course will operate with a zero-tolerance policy regarding cheating
and other forms of academic dishonesty. Any act of academic dishonesty will subject the student
to penalty, including the high probability of failure of the course (i.e., assignment of a grade of
“F”). It is expected that you will behave in an honorable and respectful way as you learn and
share ideas. Therefore, recycled papers, work submitted to other courses, and major assistance
in preparation of assignments without identifying and acknowledging such assistance are not
acceptable. All work for this course must be original for this course. Please be familiar with the
University and the School policies regarding plagiarism. Read the Academic Integrity Policy
and Procedure for more information: http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/
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