CSCI2227 · Computer Science
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
This is an introductory course in computer programming for students interested in numerical and scientific computation. Emphasis will be placed on problems drawn from the sciences. Many mathematical models of the behavior of complex natural systems have no closed-form solution, and computational modeling is needed for data exploration and to obtain approximate solutions. The course discusses different models and approximation methods, how to implement them as computer programs, and the factors that influence approximation quality. Topics include computer representation of floating-point numbers and data, computer program design and control flow, data visualization, nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations and least-squares, and Fourier analysis, with additional topics as time allows. Students will write programs in the Python programming language, primarily.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.7 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.8 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.7 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.5 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~5
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect only recovered evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Section-level results available in the recovered archive.
Fall 2024
1 sectionFall 2023
1 sectionFall 2021
1 section