MATH 206 Fall 2015

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a one credit online course that will introduce many of the basic features of MATLAB. It assumes
knowledge of technical Calculus 1 and 2 and should prepare you to deal with Matlab in Calculus 3, Linear
Algebra and Differential Equations. There will be no formal class sessions, but the TAs and I will be
available via email, and in person if you would like to drop in for a visit.
OBTAINING MATLAB
Chapter 1 of the tutorial (click on "Files" on the left) contains information on obtaining Matlab.
TEXTBOOK
There is no textbook, just the online notes you can access in the Files section. During this semester
these files should be considered a living document in the sense that I'll be updating and hopefully
improving them with suggestions from you as the semester progresses. I strongly encourage you to email
me comments, thoughts and suggestions on ways to improve the tutorial.
PROJECTS
The course will have four projects. Each project will be have two preliminary submissions before the final
due date. The first two submissions are designed to give you feedback - a text file will be generated
which will be available within a few hours of submission giving your grade and problem feedback which
you can use to make changes after the first and second submissions. The third submission is final. The
dates are as follows:

Project 1: 2/2, 2/3, 2/5

Project 2: 2/9, 2/10, 2/12

Project 3: 2/23, 2/24, 2/26

Project 4: 3/9, 3/10, 3/12

SUBMITTING PROJECTS
Projects should be submitted to the Computer Science Submit Server. I plan to have the class list loaded
by Friday, 2/31/2014.
CLARIFICATION ON SUBMITTING, GRADES, FEEDBACK
You may submit the project any number of times. On Sunday we will download and grade your latest
submission only. Then again on Monday and again on Wednesday. If you're happy with the grade at any
point you don't need to resubmit because we'll just download and regrade the same (latest) submission
again. The third and final submission is the only grade that counts.
COLLABORATION ON PROJECTS

It is acceptable and even encouraged that you discuss projects together but the code you write should be
your own work. Similarly feel free to use the web etc. to find ideas and hints but make sure what you write
is your own.
TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND HELP
Help for this course is available from:
Justin Wyss-Gallifent (prof): Tue 11:00-1:00 and Thu 1:00-3:00 in MTH 4304

and jow@math.umd.edu
Andrew Brandon: W 9:00-11:00 in MTH 4308. Email only regarding grading

at asbrando@math.umd.edu
Jared Levy: M 11:00-12:30, Tu 10:00-1:00, W 11:00-1:50, Th 10:0-1:00, F 10:00-

1:00 in 1108B Potomac Building (click for map - this building is very close to the Mathematics
Building!) and jlevy207@terpmail.umd.edu

Department Matlab Tutor (for all courses, not just 206): See tutoring

schedule.
IMPORTANT: When you send an email for help please put MATH206 in the subject line. This will help us
keep track of the class-related emails.
GRADING POLICY
Project 1 = 100 points

Project 2 = 100 points

Project 3 = 100 points
Project 4 = 100 points
Total = 400 points
Letter grades will be assigned by 98%=A+, 92%=A, 90%=A- and similarly for lower grades. A curve will
be given only if the overall grades suggest that it is appropriate.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE COURSE FROM JUSTIN
This course is constantly a work in process. I've tried various ways of collecting projects, of grading, of
giving help, and so on. Unfortunately experience has taught me that nothing I do works for everyone
(300+ students in the course). Consequently I fully understand that this course and how it's run will be
frustrating to some people. I would like to apologize in advance for this frustration. Please talk to me and
communicate your concerns. I can at least explain why things are the way they are even if I can't make
the changes you might want.