MTH437 Introduction to Numerical Analysis, Fall 2024
Instructor: Dr. Daozhi Han OFFICE HOURS:
Office: 310 Mathematics Building 3:30 –4:30 pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays or by appointment
Email: daozhiha@buffalo.edu Class: TuTh, 2:00-3:20 pm, Baldy 200G
Prerequisite: CSE 115 or MTH 337 and MTH 241 and MTH 306 and MTH 309
Course Webpage: Course materials and announcements are posted on UBLearns (Brightspace).
References (optional):
1. Numerical Analysis, by Timothy Sauer, 2nd Edition.
2. Elementary Numerical Analysis, by Kendall Atkinson, Weimin Han, 3rd Edition
Content and Objective: Develop understanding in the design and analysis of numerical algorithms related
to nonlinear equations, linear system, optimization, least square, and numerical approximation of functions;
implement some basic algorithms and analyze results from numerical experiments.
Attendance: Attendance and participation in the lectures are required. It will be checked on a regular basis
in the form of pop quiz. A correct answer in a pop quiz earns 1 bonus points. A student is allowed three
absences (excused or unexcused) throughout the semester. An extra absence will lead to a deduction of 5 points
in the grade total.
Homework and Projects: Homework and projects will be assigned through Brightspace. Homework
should be scanned into PDF and uploaded in Brightspace.
In a project assignment, students are expected to implement some algorithms using the Python programming
language (the reference books have codes in Matlab). Based on numerical tests, students will write a report
detailing the problem and findings. Computer codes should be attached in the report. Typed report is preferred,
and students are encouraged to use Overleaf for preparing the report in PDF.
Exams: There are three exams of 50 points each covering approximately one third of the course:
Exam 1: 2:00-3:00 pm, Thursday, 10/3, Baldy 200G
Exam 2: 2:00-3:00 pm, Thursday, 11/07, Baldy 200G
Exam 3: 2:00-3:00 pm, Thursday, 12/05, Baldy 200G
Note there is No final exam during finals week for this course.
Exam Policy: Generally No makeup exams will be given. An unexcused absence from an exam will result
in a grade of zero.
Grade:
HW Projects Exams
200 200 150
The usual grading scale 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, and below 60% F, will be used for assigning
final grades.
Recitation and Help: Teaching assistant: Sayantan Sarkar. Email: sayantan@buffalo.edu
The recitation sessions in this course will function as office hours held by the teaching assistant: 5:00–5:50pm,
Tuesdays, Cooke 248.
Programming: The programming language for projects is Python in this course. The Anaconda distribution
of Python can be downloaded here . Students are encouraged to work on projects in teams, and the usage of
AI to start a draft code is permitted. However, one should understand the codes and write his/her own codes.
Any use of AI and the extent of the utilization in the code or report should be declared in the report.
Disability Support: If you have a diagnosed disability (physical, learning, or psychological) which will make
it difficult for you to carry out the coursework as outlined, or requires accommodations such as note-takers,
readers, or extended time on exams, please advise me before the first day of the course so we may review possible
arrangements for reasonable accommodations.
Academic Honesty: Students are encouraged to collaborate on homework and projects. However, one should
write their own solutions, codes and report. Similar homework solutions or project reports will lead to zero
grades on all parties involved.
