Programming
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The objective of this course is to give the students of “non computer science” courses the basic skills in numerical programming, the he/she will possibly use in numerical computation. We base de course on a “neutral” Fortran, using only structured constructs. Trough examples given in the lectures and exercises presented in the practical classes the student is introduced to some basic patterns of imperative programming an d has a first contact with numerical methods.
Contents
Using the interpreter in script and interactive mode.
Variables, expressions and instructions.
Definition and Use of Functions.
Control structures.
Native data structures.
Sequential data structures: lists, tuples, and strings.
Associative data structures: dictionaries.
Basic concepts of input / output (I / O).
File manipulation.
Graphic interface.
Using to libraries / modules.
Libraries with advanced functionality for scientific calculation.
Program development.
Teaching Methods
We provide a large set of exercises, covering the topics of the course and with increasing degree of difficulty, so that
the students can practice their skills.
The evaluation consists of two components: (i) interim tests (continuous assessment) or a final exam (examination
evaluation); (ii) development of a small programming project. The component (i) is worth of 75% of the final grade and component (ii) is worth 25%. The student can choose between continuous assessment or examination.
Recommended Reading
Basic reading
-Introduction to Fortran 90, 95 (Basic Engineering Series and Tools), Stephen J. Chapman
McGraw-Hill Education – Europe; ISBN 0070119694, 1997
-Numerical Methods for Engineers: with Software and Programming Applications, Steven Chapra
McGraw-Hill Education – Europe; ISBN 0071121803, 2001
Complementary reading
-Numerical Computation, volumes 1 & 2, Methods, Software, and Analysis, Ueberhuber, C. W.
Springer Verlag, 1997