Instructor Information

Dr. Hyrum D. Carroll

Computational Science PhD Program & Department of Computer Science
KOM 361-B
Middle Tennessee State University
(615) 898-2801

Office Hours

Mon: 8:05 - 9:00 AM
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Tue: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Wed: 8:05 - 9:00 AM
2:30 - 3:30 PM
Thu: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Fri: 8:05 - 9:00 AM
1:00 - 2:00 PM
and by appointment
 

Lecture

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:40-11:05 AM
KOM 162
CRN: 82775

Textbooks

Course Description

Foundational overview of the mathematical and scientific underpinnings of computational science. Introduces the principles of finding computer solutions to contemporary science challenges. Offers preparation for core and elective courses in the Ph.D. program in Computational Science by reviewing essential mathematical methods and basic science principles drawn from biology, chemistry, and physics. Special topics include techniques of high performance computing and applications, parallel systems, and theory of computation, case studies in computational chemistry, physics, and mathematical biology. Three credits.

Prerequisite

Admission to the Computational Science Ph.D. program or permission of instructor.

Grading Scale

93-100 A
90-92  A-
87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C-
67-69 D+
63-66 D
60-62 D-
< 60 F
Each missed exam will be given zero points. Students are expected to complete all projects and assignments. Any questions concerning a grade on a homework, lab, or exam must be presented within one week of when the item was returned. A grade of "I" will be given only in accordance with University policy. The last day to drop without a grade is September 4, 2016. The last day to drop with a grade of "W" without the department chair's signature is October 26, 2016.

Performance Evaluation

Final grades will be calculated based on the following percentages:
Quizzes and Assignments 75%
Final Exam 25%

Homework

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of lecture of the date due. Late homework assignments will NOT be accepted.

Labs

Lab assignments are due at 11:59 PM on the assigned due date unless specified otherwise. Late projects will be reduced by the following schedule (Sunday and Monday are counted as 1 day late):
# of days late Penalty
1 -10%
2 -30%
3 -50%
≥ 4 -100%
For example, let's say projectX was due on a Friday at 11:59 PM, and that you earned 85% of the total points. If it turned in before Friday at 11:59 PM, then you get all 85%. If it's turned in on Saturday, you will get 76.5% (= 85% * [100% - 10%]). If it's turned in on Sunday or Monday, you will get 59.5% (= 85% * [100% - 30%]). If it's turned in on Tuesday, you will get 42.5% (= 85% * [100% - 50%]). If it's turned in after Tuesday, you will get 0%.

Lecture

Attendance is required by the university. If you can not make a lecture, please inform me and get the relevant materials from a classmate.
Computers are permitted in lecture for note taking. Other activities such as web surfing, stock trading, and social networking are inappropriate.

An audible cell phone ring during class will require the possessor to bring fruit, cookies, or equivalent for the entire class during the next lecture time.
Additionally, all views are to be heard and engaged respectively. As scholars, we are expected to analyze subject matter critically and express reasonable positions that are based on logic and fact rather than on emotion.

Website

The course website is at http://www.cs.mtsu.edu/~hcarroll/6100/. Announcements and assignments will be posted there and/or emailed to your Pipeline email address. You are expected to monitor the website and your email account frequently (i.e., at least every other day).

Final Exam

Thursday, December 8, 2016, 10:00 A.M. - Noon, KOM 162

Honor Code

It is expected that all work for this class (including exams, homework and labs) is your own. The university policy for academic misconduct will be followed. Academic misconduct includes the following behaviors:
Plagiarism: The adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another person as one's own without proper acknowledgement.
Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
Fabrication: Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
Facilitation: Helping or attempting to help another to violate a provision of the institution code of academic misconduct.
If you are found responsible for committing an act of academic misconduct, the penalty will range from a grade of zero for an individual assignment to a failing grade for the course. For more information, please refer to the following links:
Computer Science Department Policy on Academic Integrity
MTSU's Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy

Debugging Protocol

General steps for addressing a coding challenge:
  1. Use a debugger to investigate the issue (e.g., what are the values of the variables when the problem occurs)
  2. Isolate the problem and replicate it in the simplest form possible
  3. Search for answers (e.g., in the book, on-line, etc.)
  4. If you've already spent an hour trying to solve the problem, contact me during office hours or via email. (Note, if you email me a question, and then later figured out a solution, please send a second email indicating that it's resolved :)

Financial Aid Notice

Students receiving any form of financial aid should always consult the Financial Aid Office before dropping a course. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office (898-2830) or see http://www.mtsu.edu/financialaid.

Reporting of Unofficial Withdrawals

Federal regulations require that students who cease class attendance but do not officially withdraw from the University must be reported so that future financial aid will cease and/or the student will be required to return funds. Therefore, during the term I will be required to complete a roster indicating those students who have stopped attending class without officially withdrawing. Faculty members are not required to check attendance each day; however, you may use project submission deadlines, exams, quizzes, advising appointments, or other methods I choose may be used to determine unofficial withdraws.

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

Middle Tennessee State University is committed to campus access in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any student interested in reasonable accommodations can consult the Disability & Access Center (DAC) website and/or contact the DAC for assistance at 615-898-2783 or dacemail@mtsu.edu. Note: The syllabus is tentative and is subject to change.