CS450 :: Fall 2025

Are you an Online Student?

• The office hours below should be available to you via the Zoom links
• Online-only office hours with the instructor are W 2-3pm (central) on Zoom
• Please do ask questions during lecture; I will try to address them and often repeat them for the class.
• If video/audio/etc can be improved, please let me know!

About the Course

What is this course about? Our focus for the semester is on "Numerical Analysis", or the study of numerical algorithms for solving mathematical problems that arise in scientific problems. We will survey a range of numerical algorithms, constructing and analyzing their use in practice. Topics include linear system sovers, optimization methods, interpolation, differentiation, and integration. Ordinary and partial differential equations will also be studied.

Learning Goals for CS 450:

• Analyze the conditioning of common numerical problems such as solving a linear system, finding eigenvalues, numerical differentiation and integration, etc.
• Calculate numerical approximations to solutions to linear and nonlinear systems, eigenvalues/eigenvectors, optimization problems, integrals, derivatives, and solutions to differential equations.
• Compare the accuracy and cost of different numerical methods for solving a numerical problem.
• Estimate the accuracy and efficiency of numerical approximations.
• Develop code to solve numerical problems.
• Design numerical experiments to test various numerical methods.

FAQ

• Q -- What is the format of the lectures?

• It is best to arrive say 5 minutes beforehand -- the lectures will start promptly at 11. They will include a combination of demos, hands-on activities, and discussion.

• Q -- Are lectures recorded?

• Yes! Lectures will be posted on MediaSpace. (Note: this is not guaranteed, but I fully expect to post each lecture. In some cases there are technical issues such as audio -- we will try to address this promptly for the next lecture.)

• Q -- Where do we take exams?

• Exams will be proctored through the Computer Based Testing Facility (CBTF).

Homework

• Homework set 1 (Due Friday, Sept 5, 5:59pm central)
• Homework set 2 (Due Friday, Sept 12, 5:59pm central)
  • Homework set 2 4-credit extension (Due Friday, Sept 12, 5:59pm central)
• Homework set 3 (Due Friday, Sept 19, 5:59pm central)
• Homework set 4 (Due Friday, Sept 26, 5:59pm central)
  • Homework set 4 4-credit extension (Due Friday, Sept 26, 5:59pm central)
• [Homework set 5] (Due Friday, Oct 3, 5:59pm central)

Exams

All times CDT, from 00:01 - 23:59 (meaning all day)

CBTF Urbana times are below.

ProctorU times are the same as below (with the exception of the final).

CBTF Chicago Times are shifted by one day: M-W -> Tu-Th

Team

Luke Olson (Instructor)
Office Hours: Monday 12-1pm [Zoom]

Eli Gidron (Teaching Assistant)
Office: Siebel Center Basement
Office Hours: Tuesday 3pm-4pm, Thursday 3pm-5pm[Zoom]

Shawn Lin (Teaching Assistant)
Office: Siebel Center Basement
Office Hours: Monday 1:30pm-3pm, Friday 9:00am-10:30am [Zoom]

Jess Williams (Teaching Assistant)
Office: Siebel Center Basement
Office Hours: Tuesday 9am-10:30am, Thursday 1:30pm-3pm [Zoom]

Computing

We will be using Python with the libraries numpy, scipy and matplotlib for in-class work and assignments. No other languages are permitted. Python has a very gentle learning curve, so you should feel at home even if you've never done any work in Python.

Python Help

• Python tutorial
• Facts and myths about Python names and values
• Learn Python the hard way
• Project Euler (Lots of practice problems)
• From Python to Numpy

COVID, Illness, and Attendance

While face coverings are not required in classrooms (current as of 12/20/2023) we fully support your decision to wear one if you wish.

If you test positive for COVID, then you should not attend class.

If you have any cold-like symptoms or do not feel well, then you should not attend class, regardless of testing negative or positive for COVID.

In either case, your missed attendance due to illness will not impact your grade in the course.