Math 573: Advanced Scientific Computing; Fall 2019; Class # 10196

Instructor: Hui Sun (a.k.a. Paul) Office: FO3–117

Phone: 562-985-5609 Email: paul.sun@csulb.edu
Office Hours: 2:00–3:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday or Prerequisites: Multivariable Calculus,
by appointment Linear Algebra, basic programming 1
Course: Math 573: Advanced Scientific Computing Term: Fall 2019
Class Times: 5:30–6:45pm on Tuesday and Thursday Class Location: LA5–243

1 It is not required, but it will be good if you know how to use MATLAB or Python.

Course Description:
Multigrid method is a state-of-art efficient numerical method in solving large linear systems. It was
originally designed to solve Poissons equations, as well as systems that can essentially be broken down to
Poissons equations, such as Navier Stokes equation. Later on, it develops further and quickly, so that people
can use it to solve large linear systems from a general context. This variation is called algebraic multigrid
method. There are other variations, such as multigrid in time. This class serves as an introduction to this
fascinating method. In this class, we are going to take a tour to view the key ingredients of multigrid method,
and understand why it works so well. With hands-on experiences on implementation, you are going to have
a better appreciation of the method. This hopefully will motivate you to go further and deeper in your course
project to explore different variations and applications of multigrid method.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
1. Explain the key ingredients of Multigrid method;
2. Implement Multigrid method;
3. Research on their own different variations and applications of multigrid method.

Required Texts/Readings
Textbook:

William L. Briggs, Van Emden Henson, and Steve F. McCormick. A Multigrid Tutorial.

Software:
Programming is a big component for this class. For the programming language or software, you may
use either MATLAB/Octave, or Python. MATLAB is a commercial software, which costs certain amount
of dollars. But as a CSULB student, you have free access to this software. Detailed instruction on how
to obtain MATLAB can be found in this link: http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/academic_technology/ats/
software/license/mathworks/ . Octave is an open source version of MATLAB, that mean it has very similar
functionality to MATLAB, and you can install it for free. Python is also an open source software, you can
get it for free. If you have other programming language choices, that is possible, but please let me know.

Computer Access:
You have access to both Math Education Macintosh Computer Lab in LA5-255 and Math Education
PC/Mac Computer Lab in LA5-251. Please check out this website for details: https://web.csulb.edu/depts/
math/?q=node/38. As specified in this link, the computers in Math Education PC/Mac Computer Lab are
equipped with MATLAB.
BeachBoard Access
To access this course on BeachBoard – https://bbcsulb.desire2learn.com/ you will need access to the
Internet and a supported Web browser (Firefox is the recommended browser). You log in to BeachBoard
– https://bbcsulb.desire2learn.com/ with your CSULB Campus ID and BeachID password. Bookmark this
link for future use, or you can always access it by going to CSULB – http://www.csulb.edu/ ’s homepage and
clicking on the BeachBoard link at the top of the page. Once logged in to BeachBoard, you will see the
course listed in the My Courses widget on the right; click on the title to enter the course.

Course Schedule
1. We are going to explain the most basic geometric multigrid method for the application in 1D Poissons
equation with Dirichlet boundary in great detail, including some basic components, error analysis,
convergence, and implementations. That covers the first 5 chapters of the book.
2. We will briefly explore the variations on multigrid method when applied to other problems, such as
with Neumann boundary conditions, solving nonlinear problems, with finite element method, algebraic
multigrid, etc. That covers the second half of the book, the last 5 chapters.
3. Lastly, we are going to focus on the class projects, hopefully each group will select a problem from
the last 5 chapters of the book, or from other sources. Each group will give two presentations, one
in the middle of semester as an opening report; the other in the end of semester as a final report; and
need to hand in a written report.

Course Policies and Requirements

Homework:
There will be several homework assignments throughout the course, not necessarily weekly based. The
homework assignments are not collected nor graded. However, you are encouraged to practice on these
homework, and post solutions in Piazza website for discussion, because that solidifies your knowledge and
helps prepare you for the exams. Besides the theoretical homework practices, we will have lab assignments,
in which you will be asked to develop computational code. These lab assignments need to be collected and
graded. You may ask help from your classmates or myself, but make sure you finish the lab assignments by
yourself. You need to submit the lab assignments along with your code.

Exams:
There will be two midterm exams. Date and time for the exams are to be announced. Cell phones, tablets,
and any devices which can connect to internet are prohibited during these exams. Students should put such
devices in an unreachable place such as their school bags or on the desk at the front.

Project:
There will be one final course project. You may work in groups of 4 or 5. In the middle of semester you
need to give an opening report in front of the class. At the end, you need to submit a written report and give
a final presentation in front of the class. Please indicate the contribution of each member in your final report.

Grading Policy:
 The only grading items are the several sets of lab assignments + the two midterm exams + the final
project. Lab assignments will count 30% of the final course grade, and the two midterm exams will each
count 20% of the final course grade. So, the formula of the final course grade would be

final course grade = 30% lab assignments + 20% midterm I + 20% midterm II + 30% final project.

Each lab assignment will count equally toward the final course grade. One lab assignment corresponding to
the lowest score will be dropped.

Course Grading Scale:

Percent Range 90 − 100% 80 − 89% 70 − 79% 60 − 69% 0 − 59%

Letter Grade A B C D F

If the average grade for the whole class is low, I may curve at the end.
Late work/Make-up policy
There will not be any makeup exams or lab assignments.

Plagiarism/Academic Integrity Policy

Work that you submit is assumed to be original unless your source material is documented appropriately,
such as a Works Cited page. Using the ideas or words of another person, even a peer, or a web site, as if it
were your own, is plagiarism. Students should read the section on cheating and plagiarism in the CSULB
catalog – http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/academic_information/cheating_plagiarism.html.

University Withdrawal Policy

Class withdrawals during the final 3 weeks of instruction are not permitted except for a very serious and
compelling reason such as accident or serious injury that is clearly beyond the student’s control and the
assignment of an Incomplete grade is inappropriate (see Grades – http://www.csulb.edu/depts/enrollment/
student_academic_records/grading.html). Application for withdrawal from CSULB or from a class must be
officially filed by the student with Enrollment Services whether the student has ever attended the class or not;
otherwise, the student will receive a grade of "WU" (unauthorized withdrawal) in the course. Please refer
to the CSULB Course Catalog – http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/academic_regulations/
withdrawal_policy.html to get familiar with the policy.

Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Please refer to and get familiar with the CSULB Atten-
dance Policy – http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/academic_information/class_attendance.
html. However, the attendance will not be used in calculating the final course grade of a student.

Technical Assistance
If you need technical assistance at any time during the course or need to report a problem with Beach-
Board, please contact the Technology Help Desk using their online form – http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/
academic_technology/thd/contact/ or by phone at (562) 985-4959 or visit them on campus in the Academic
Service (AS) building, room 120.

Inform me of Any Accommodations Needed

 Students with disabilities who need reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations
in this course should promptly direct their request to the course instructor. If a student with a disability
feels that modifications, special assistance, or accommodations offered are inappropriate or insufficient, they
should seek the assistance of the Director of the CSULB Disabled Student Services, please see their website
– http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/students/dss/ or contact them via email at dss@csulb.edu or by phone at
(562) 985-4635.

Policy on Sexual Misconduct

The CNSM is committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment and has established a zero-
tolerance policy for any sexual/gender-based misconduct, including, but not limited to sexual harassment,
assault, relationship violence or stalking for all faculty, staff, and students.

The following entities at CSULB have been established to provide support and assistance for victims of
sexual harassment and assault: Title IX Office http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/titleix/titleix_reporting.
html, CSULB University Police Department https://www.csulb.edu/university-police/title-ix, The Women’s
& Gender Equity Center, http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/wrc/sexual_assault/ , and the Counseling
& Psychological Services (CAPS) Office http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/caps/ , and Student Health
Services: http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/shs/sexual_assault.htm. For more information regarding
CSULB’s policies on sexual misconduct and discrimination: http://www.csulb.edu/titleix.

As members of The Beach community, we practice tolerance and denounce hate and prejudice. Our
classroom will strive to be a place of mutual respect where the focus is on learning and student success.