Math
636
Instructor
Peter Salamon
Fall
2008
Syllabus
The
aim of this course is to teach real-world modeling skills. We will mostly
follow the text ÒIntroduction to Mathematical ModelingÓ by Ed Bender. We will proceed
linearly through the text which stays remarkably non-technical, yet manages to
be deep. Grading is based on the exams (35%), project (35%), and the homework
exercises (30%).
Homework
is to be turned in every Wednesday. Part of modeling is learning to communicate
about mathematics in the context of an application. You are encouraged to
collaborate (preferably in pairs of a math major and a non-math major). One
write-up is to be turned in per group of collaborators. The homework solutions
need to be word processed in good technical English and should show evidence of
discussions and proofreading / editing by all members of the group.
Examinations
will closely resemble the homework exercises and are open book/notes/computers.
There will be two midterm examinations.
Projects
will take up most of the last four weeks of the course and will involve
modeling a system of your choice. They are also to be done by teams and need to
produce a written report as well as an oral presentation.