You are on page 1of 8

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

GENN004: Introduction to Computers and Engineering


(Using MATLAB)

Spring 2013
Instructors and Classes Info on Board

GENN004: Introduction to Computers and Engineering


Credit Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 1 hr lecture + 2 hr lab Textbook:
David M. Smith, Engineering Computation with MATLAB, 3/E, Prentice Hall, 2013. Stormy Attaway, MATLAB: A practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving, Elsevier, 2011.

Programming Language:
MATLAB (2006 or newer, 2011 is preferred) Or scilab (open source science lab)

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

Course Material
http://www.egypteducation.org Cairo University Faculty of Engineering Credit-Hour Program Faculty-Wide Courses Introduction to Computer and Engineering - MATLAB

Print the course schedule, slides and lab assignments. You should bring these material to all GENN004 classes. Sample exams, problem solutions, extra exercises for practicing at home are posted in the course site. Your grades will be posted there as well

Helpful Material
Interactive MATLAB Tutorial from MathWorks http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student _center/tutorials/register.html YouTube Videos
Learn MATLAB in Arabic (Dr Seif Fateen) MATLAB Tutorial

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

Course Objectives
(1) Develop skills in algorithmic thinking by preparing computer programs to analyze and present engineering data (2) Properly evaluate and interpret the results of programming work (3) Learn to write (in MATLAB) the types of programs needed for engineering problem solving

Course Intended Learning Outcomes ILO's


After completing the course, students will be able to: 1. Evaluate the results of programming work. 2. Create pseudo code algorithm that illustrate algorithmic thinking. Use the algorithm in preparing to write matlab programs. 3. Follow and document each step in the Problem Solving Method (input, output, solve by hand, scientific principles, convert to code, test code). 4. Use the programming language MATLAB to write computer programs that solve engineering problems. 5. Use data types, input/output commands, loops, control structures, functions, arrays, and other programming language constructs in matlab computer programs.

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

Grading
20 Midterm Exam Week 8 40 Final Exam Week 16 15 Lab Assignments and Quizzes Weekly 25 Two Lab Exams Week 7 (10 pt) & Week 14 (15 pt)

Up to 5 bonus points will be added for classwork grades for solving book exercises weekly. (0.5 weekly) Makeup exam out of 5 for midterm grade < 15. (maximum recorded grade = 15.) - Week 15.

Topics
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Introduction and MATLAB Basics Arithmetic Operations Input and Output Selection Statements (Control) Looping MATLAB Programs Matrices Vectorized Code

See the Excel sheet for a detailed schedule

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

What is Computer Programming?

What is Computer Programming?


Formal Definition: Creating a sequence of instructions to enable the computer to do something Programming is the process of carefully telling the computer what to do
All computer programming, at some point, resolves to Machine Language small tasks the computer can do

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

What is Computer Programming?


Programming is more than just writing code It is a process of combining smaller instructions together to achieve some larger goal Literally, it is problem solving through computer action, scripted by an intelligent mind

Why learn Computer Programming?


Formal design practices exist to prevent common and potentially harmful mistakes Good chance youll need some knowledge of programming in your career Makes certain types of problem solving much easier Can be used for advanced modeling, simulation, mathematics, communication nearly endless applications

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

How is Computer Programming done?

How is Computer Programming done?


Every computer can perform a fixed number of small instructions
Known as Machine Code or Machine Language This is what a computer can do, straight from the factory

Each of these instructions lives in isolation


They represent distinct actions Programmers must link these instructions together

Machine Language is cumbersome Modern developers use some kind of Higher Level language

Introduction

GENN004: Introduction to Computers

09-Feb-13

How is Computer Programming done?


High Level Languages come in two main flavors
Interpreted Languages (portable but slow)
Javascript MATLAB Java Python (generally)

Compiled or Assembled (Machine dependent but fast)


C/C++ FORTRAN COBOL

What you will learn


The How of Computer Programming through MATLAB MATLAB is:
Easy to learn Easy to use Interpreted High-level 1000s of built-in functions

Introduction

You might also like