Undergraduate Course: Computer Algebra (INFR10009)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Informatics |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
10 |
| Home subject area |
Informatics |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/ca |
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| Course description |
Computer graphics uses various shapes such as ellipsoids for modelling. Consider the following problem: we are given an ellipsoid, a point from which to view it, and a plane on which the viewed image is to appear. The problem is to find the contour of the image as an equation (a numerical solution is not good enough for many applications). The problem does not involve particularly difficult mathematics, but a solution by hand is very difficult in general. This is an example of a problem which can be solved fairly easily with a computer algebra system. These systems have a very wide range of applications and are useful both for routine work and research. From a computer science point of view they also give rise to interesting problems in implementation and the design of algorithms. The considerations here are not only theoretical but also pragmatic: for example there is an algorithm for polynomial factorization which runs in polynomial time; however systems do not use this since other (potentially exponential time) methods work faster in practice. The design of efficient algorithms in this area involves various novel techniques. The material of the course will be related whenever possible to the computer algebra system Maple, leading to a working knowledge of the system. |
Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Mathematics for Informatics 3 (MATH08013) AND
Mathematics for Informatics 4 (MATH08025)
|
Co-requisites |
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| Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
Successful completion of Year 3 of an Informatics Single or Combined Honours Degree, or equivalent by permission of the School. Familiarity with computer programming and data structures will be assumed. The course will contain an overview of less familiar algebra, as well as some new concepts.
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| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: No |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | 12:10 - 13:00 | | | | | | Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | 12:10 - 13:00 | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Monday, 12:10 - 13:00, Zone: Central. Room M1, Appleton Tower |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Use the computer algebra system Maple as an aid to solving mathematical problems.
2 - Design and implement in Maple appropriate algorithms from constructive mathematical solutions to problems.
3 - Discuss the overall design of the computer algebra system Maple.
4 - Evaluate the results obtained from a computer algebra system and discuss possible problems.
5 - Explain the gap between ideal solutions and actual systems (the need to compromise for efficiency reasons).
6 - Describe and evaluate data structures used in the computer representation of mathematical objects.
7 - Discuss the mathematical techinques used in the course and relate them to computational concerns.
8 - Discuss and apply various advanced algorithms and the mathematical techniques used in their design.
9 - Use the techniques of the course to design an efficient algorithm for a given mathematical problem (of a fairly similar nature to those discussed in the course). |
Assessment Information
Written Examination 80
Assessed Assignments 20
Oral Presentations 0
Assessment
Three sets of exercises involving the use of Maple as well as pencil and paper work.
If delivered in semester 1, this course will have an option for semester 1 only visiting undergraduate students, providing assessment prior to the end of the calendar year. |
| Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Amos Storkey
Tel: (0131 6)51 1208
Email: A.Storkey@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Miss Kate Weston
Tel: (0131 6)50 2701
Email: Kate.Weston@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:10 am
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