MATH 170B Syllabus

General

Textbook: D. Kincaid and W. Cheney, Numerical Analysis: Mathematics of Scientific Computing, Third Edition.

Prerequisite: MATH 170A

Catalog Description: Rounding and discretization errors. Calculation of roots of polynomials and nonlinear equations. Interpolation. Approximation of functions.

Homework

Homework will be due Monday of each week by 11 pm. Late homework will not be accepted, however, one homework will be dropped when determining the final grade for the class. This should be reserved for emergencies.
Homework dropping is implemented as follows: We have a total of 7 homeworks this quarter (homework 1 to homework 7). The maximal amount of points available is 170. A total of 145 (=170-25) points will be used as 100% for computing the homework part of your grade. This means that if you have a total of 145 points (or more), you will receive 100% on the homework.

All standard homework assignments will be turned in via Gradescope.com. Your login is your UCSD email.

All students enrolled in MATH170B have been added to Gradescope. If you have not been added (due to late enrollment, for example), please add yourself with the Gradescope entry code M8Z7XR and use your UCSD email.

Assignments should be uploaded in a single pdf file, or as a picture for each question. Please make sure your files are legible before submitting.

All grading, including the midterm and final, will be done on Gradescope. Regrade requests must be sent via Gradescope as well.

Exams

There will be two midterms and one final for this class.
For all exams: Exams will be held during the posted date and time below. The pdf with exam questions will be made available to you, and you will write your exam unproctored at a place of your choice (e.g. at home). When you are done (or before the official exam time is over), you will upload your exam to Gradescope.
You are allowed to ask questions via private posts on Piazza during the exam.
Policy change: Instead of providing a formula sheet, you will be allowed to use your lecture notes and the textbook. However, you are still not allowed to use the internet, your computer, or any other electronic device (except for asking questions via private posts on Piazza). You are also not allowed to collaborate with other people, i.e. you need to take all exams by yourself.
This type of exam builds on your academic integrity. We trust that you will follow these rules. If we find any evidence that these rules were violated, you may be asked to participate in an after-exam zoom meeting to explain your solutions. In addition, you may also be reported to the Academic Integrity Office (see details below).

Exam	Date	Time	Room	Material
Midterm 1	F April 24	6 - 7 pm	place of your choice	Everything discussed in lecture/HW until April 17 (i.e. including 3.4)
Midterm 2	F May 22	6 - 7 pm	place of your choice	Focus on Chapter 6.1 - 6.6
Final	W June 10	3 - 6 pm	place of your choice	Everything discussed in lecture/homework

Grading policy

Your grade will be based on the scores of the homework, two midterms, and one final exam. It will be calculated from taking the maximum of the methods defined below:

Method #1 = (20% HW) + (20% Midterm) + (20% Midterm) + (40% Final)

Method #2 = (20% HW) + (30% Best Midterm) + (50% Final)

Method #3 = (20% HW) + (40% Midterm 1) + (40% Midterm 2)

There will be no make-up exams. If you miss a midterm, your grade will be computed using method 2. We use the standard grading scale

A+	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D	F
[96,100]	[92,96)	[90,92)	[86,90)	[82,86)	[80,82)	[76,80)	[72,76)	[70,72)	[60,70)	[0,60)

You are guaranteed this scale, that means that your grade will not be worse than specified by the above scale. There might be an adjustment (=improvement) of grades based on the overall class performance.
The passing grade for P/NP is C-.

Additional info

Zoom meetings: All lecture will be recorded and made available on Canvas. In this way all students can rewatch (especially those who are in different time zones). Please note that if you join a live zoom lecture, you will be recorded as well; if you do not want to be recorded, please watch the recording afterwards and ask your questions on Piazza, during office hour or via email.
You will see me or your TA in this class' zoom meetings. I would prefer to see you as well (webcam on). If you are not comfortable with this, you are welcome to turn your webcam off. You will be muted during the zoom sessions. If you have a question, please use the "raise your hand" function, and I will unmute you so that you can ask your question. You can also use zoom's chat function to ask your question. I will make regular breaks during zoom sessions to allow for questions.

Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is highly valued at UCSD and academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense. Students involved in an academic integrity violation will face an administrative sanction which may include suspension or, in very serious cases, expulsion from the university. Your integrity has great value: Cultivate and protect your academic integrity. For more about academic integrity and its value, visit the UCSD Academic Integrity Website.

Accomodations: Students requesting accommodations for this course due to a disability must provide a current Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter issued by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) which is located in University Center 202 behind Center Hall. The AFA letter may be issued by the OSD electronically or in hard-copy; in either case, please make arrangements to discuss your accommodations with me in advance. We will make every effort to arrange for whatever accommodations are stipulated by the OSD. For more information, see here.