Washington, District of Columbia
June 23, 1996
June 23, 1996
June 26, 1996
2153-5965
4
1.505.1 - 1.505.4
10.18260/1-2--6373
https://peer.asee.org/6373
320
Session 1265
Using CAS in a Graduate Numerical Methods Course
Shirley B. Pomeranz The University of Tulsa
1 Introduction
This paper describes the introduction of a computer algebra system (CAS) (e.g., Mathematical or Maple) as a tool in a course which has traditionally used FORTRAN or C as the programming tool of choice. The claim here is not that one type of programming language-CAS (interpretive language) versus FORTRAN or C (compiled languages) -is generically better, but that for teaching purposes, each offers different advantages. Some of the benefits of a CAS approach will be described [1].
2 Background
The course, Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, offered by the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at The University of Tulsa, is taken by graduate students in chemical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering, geosciences, and mathematical and computer sciences. Occasionally there is a graduate student from some other discipline, e.g., business administration. The topics covered, primarily numerical methods for partial differential equations (pales), include finite difference methods, method of characteristics, and the finite element method.
3 Traditional Course
There is usually a course text focusing on the descriptions and comparisons of methods, i.e., on the theoretical/analytical aspects. For example, these topics include consistency, stability, and convergence analyses for finite difference time-marching methods for parabolic and hyperbolic problems, efficient linear solvers for elliptic problems, and an introduction to error analysis for the finite element method.
$iii’ } 1996 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings ‘e.,ymlyc,.$ .
Pomeranz, S. B. (1996, June), Using Cas In A Graduate Numerical Methods Course Paper presented at 1996 Annual Conference, Washington, District of Columbia. 10.18260/1-2--6373
ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 1996 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015