DS 288 / UMC 202

Numerical Methods (Fall 2025)

Course Outline

Numerical methods are routinely used in all disciplines of science and engineering, which serve as the approximate solutions to real-time problems. This course will cover the formulation/mathematics behind the contemporary numerical methods, which later will be applied to solving the example real world problems. The emphasis of the course will be more on the deep understanding of these numerical methods, with homework geared towards application and analysis of this. Midterm and final exam will be geared towards testing your understanding of advantages/limitations of numerical methods.

Topics Covered

  • Introduction & Motivation (Types of error in numerical computation)
  • Multivariable calculus and its applications
  • Solutions of Equations of One Variable
  • Interpolation and Polynomial Approximation
  • Approximation Theory
  • Numerical Integration and Differentiation
  • Initial-Value Problems for ODEs
  • Solutions of Nonlinear Systems of Equations
  • Boundary-Value Problems for ODEs

References

Primary Reference:

  • 1) Richard L. Burden and J. Douglas Faires, Numerical Analysis (9th edition).

Supplemental References:

  • 2) Kendall Atkinson, and Weimin Han, Elementary Numerical Analysis (Third Edition).
  • 3) John H. Mathews & Kurtis D. Fink, Numerical Methods Using MATLAB, Prentice Hall.

Marking Scheme

  • a) Homework/Quizzes - 30% (10+10+10)
  • b) Midterm Exam - 20%
  • c) Project - 20%
  • d) Final Exam - 30%

Course Links