9451557 Lawson The Mathematics Department at Tulane University is integrating computer use into its core applied mathematics and linear algebra courses. These courses are fundamental to the science and engineering curriculum. The applied math course is required for all engineering and most science students, and the linear algebra course is required for math majors and taken by many engineering and science students. In both courses the role of the software is to enhance understanding of the basic concepts. Students will be able to use the software in subsequent science and engineering courses and in the workplace. The applied math course uses phase plane analysis to help students understand the qualitative behavior of nonlinear systems arising from a variety of models. It also uses Mathematica to allow symbolic and numerical analysis of differential equations. The linear algebra course uses Mathematica and Matlab to achieve mastery of crucial algorithms such as LU, QR, and singular value dicompositions as well as provide numerical and symbolic exploration of motivating examples. Both classes will make fundamental use of computing as an integral tool in each class meeting, involving the students more actively in the course. Group activities will play a key role in both classes. Dissemination will occur through publications as well as presentations at conferences.
