Computational Methods in Engineering (ME 5201)

Instructors
Dr. Narasimhan Swaminathan (NS)∗,
Dr. Sundararajan Natarajan (SN)†

Course Content
Differential equations (SN): Initial and boundary value problems, eigenvalue problems, solution to
elliptic and parabolic equations, partial differential equations.

Linear algebraic equations (NS): Matrix properties, Existence of solution, Solution of linear al-
gebraic equations: Gauss elimination, LU decomposition. Iterative methods: Gauss-Siedel, Steepest
descent, Conjugate Gradient, convergence of iterative methods. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors: Gram-
Schmidt and QR decomposition.

Solution of non-linear algebraic equations (NS): Bisection method, Fixed point iteration, Newton-
Raphson method, Solution to a set of non-linear equations.

Interpolation (SN): Piecewise linear interpolation, Polynomial interpolation, Lagrange interpolation

polynomials, Newton’s divided difference, Cubic splines, Least square.

Differentiation and integration (SN): Numerical differentiation, Newton-Cotes integration, Gauss

quadrature, Multiple integrals

Grading Policy
• Quiz-1 (on 09-September-2019): 20%

• Quiz-2 (on 14-October-2019): 20%

• Assignments (dates will be announced in the class): 20%

• Final Exam (on 15-November-2019): 40%

• Grading for this course is absolute. Cut-off marks for the grades are
E: 40%; D: 50%
C: 60%; B: 70%
A: 80%; S: 90%

∗
email: nswaminathan@iitm.ac.in, office: 206, Machine Design Section (MDS) , Telephone:044-2257 4743
†
email: snatarajan@iitm.ac.in, office: 207, Machine Design Section (MDS), Telephone: 044-22574656

1
Honor Code
• 85% attendance is required as per institute norms to be allowed to write the final exam.

• Students are expected to report their difficulties in understanding the subject matter as early as
possible to receive additional help apart from lectures.

• Each assignment is a potential ladder for the next grade. It is not unlikely that students get a
lower grade for being short of one mark!

Class Schedule
The course is in A-slot and is a 4/10 credit (3(L)-1(T)-6(OC)-10) course. The tutorial classes will be
held in MDS HPCF Lab.

The lecture/tutorial hours will be as follows:

• Monday 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

• Tuesday 12:00 - 12:50 PM

• Thursday 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

• Thursday 2 PM - 5 PM - Lab - MDS HPCF

References
[1] Gilbert Strang, Computational Science and Engineering, Wellesley-Cambridge Press, Wellesley,
2007.

[2] Steven C. Chapra, Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists, 3rd
edition, Tata-Mcgraw Hill, New Delhi, 2012.

[3] Steven C. Chapra and Raymond P Canale, Numerical Methods for Engineers, 5th edition, Tata-
Mcgraw Hill, New Delhi, 2007.

[4] Robert J. Schilling and Sandra L. Harris, Applied Numerical Methods for Engineers using Matlab
and C, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, 2000.

[5] S. P. Venkateshan, Computational Methods in Engineering, Ane Books India, New Delhi, 2014.