Syllabus for CS 20600
Introduction to Computer Algebra and Programming
Fall, 2011

Professor Roger Kraft
Office: Classroom Office Building (CLO), Room 368
Office phone: (219) 989-2696
Office hours: 12:30-1:30, 3:30-4:30 TR, and by appointment.
E-mail: roger@purduecal.edu

Text: Maple for Math Majors.

This course is an introduction to the Maple computer algebra system and how it can be used to solve mathematical problems. Part of solving mathematical problems with Maple involves programming and so this course also introduces you to the basics of computer programming using Maple.

Your grade for this course will be based on three exams and approximately 9 homework assignments in the following manner: 

           40%    homework assignments,
           60%    three exams (20% per exam).
The tentative dates for the three exams are 
           Exam 1   Tuesday, September 27,
           Exam 2   Tuesday, November 8,
           Exam 3   Final exam week.
Your homework assignments will be done on a computer; the assignments will be problems that you are to solve using Maple. The Maple problems for each assignment will be contained in a "Maple worksheet" document that you will download from a web page. You will solve the problems in the worksheet using Maple, enter your solutions into the worksheet, and then save your copy of the worksheet. When you complete all of the problems in the worksheet, you will turn in the worksheet to me. We will go into the details of all this in class.

All of the homework assignments will have a due date. To receive full credit for an assignment, it must be turned in by the due date. Late homework assignments will lose 5% of the total points for each day late. If an assignment is more than two weeks late, then I reserve the right not to accept it for credit.

You should turn in your own work for each homework assignment. Here is what that means: You may talk with your classmates about the course material and the ideas behind each homework assignment but you should solve each homework problem on your own and write up your solutions in your own words. Turning in someone else's solution (or even a modified version of someone else's solution) is a breach of academic integrity. Similarly, giving a copy of your solution to someone else in the class is also a breach of academic integrity. If you need help with a homework assignment, come and ask me. You can ask me as many questions as you want! Please do not hesitate to ask me questions after class, in my office, in an e-mail message, over the phone, etc.

On this web site you will find the "textbook" for this course, information about Maple, your reading assignments, and also all of your homework assignments.

Since you do not need to purchase a traditional textbook for this course, I recommend that you purchase a copy of the student edition of the Maple program so that you can study and do the homework for this course on either your home computer or a laptop. One of the goals of this course is to show you what a useful tool the Maple program is. After successfully completing this course, you will find that you can make use of your copy of Maple in all of your math and science courses for the rest of your student days. Details about purchasing Maple (at a very discounted price) will be provided in class.

The computer programs that you need to do all of your homework assignments are on computers in the Math Computer Labs in CLO 363 and CLO 365, and also in the Powers Computer Education Building.

The learning objectives for this course are as follows.

  1. Define and work with functions using both Maple expressions and Maple's arrow operator.
  2. Know the basic data types in Maple and explain how expressions are stored as data structures.
  3. Draw two and three dimensional graphs of functions and equations.
  4. Create two and three dimensional animations.

If you are a student with a documented disability who will require academic/classroom accommodations in this course, please register with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Student Support Services Office located in the Student Union and Library Building (SUL), Room 341, phone numbers: 219-989-2455, 219-989-2454(voice/TTY) or 219-989-2920.

Ethics are an integral part of being a student and a professional. Academic integrity is the hallmark of this University. Therefore, Purdue University does not tolerate academic dishonesty in any form. If a student breaches integrity, the student risks sanctions in both the academic and conduct arenas. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized use of other's intellectual property (plagiarism), and lying to an instructor or any University employee. Such actions WILL result in a failing grade on the assignment with the strong possibility of referral to the Office of the Dean of Students for a conduct sanction (see the Purdue University Calumet Student Handbook available from the Dean of Students office and the Dean of Students web site).


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