Computer programming for Mathematics

Course goals

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Content

As a mathematician, you can encounter programming in various ways, such as developing algorithms for simulations (e.g., weather models, financial and economic models), finding structure and patterns in large datasets, extract meaningful insights and predicting unseen outputs as commonly
seen in data science and statistical learning applications. Additionally, 'algorithmic thinking' is also useful in devising and writing proofs.

Computer experiments, alongside physical experiments and theory, are an important tool in scientific research. Therefore, it is crucial that a computer experiment meets all the standards expected of a normal experiment: the setup (computer code) must be correct, and the experiment should be reproducible.

Computer programming for Mathematics is a context course. It is a compulsory course in the Bachelor Mathematics. Twin and Twinfo students are exempted from this course based on their physics or computer science programme.

Learning goals
In this course, we first learn the basic skills of programming (in Python 3.), with a focus on applications in mathematics.
The following topics will be covered:

• simple calculations and string manipulation,
• Loops and conditions,
• Functions,
• Design of algorithms and data structures,
• Object-oriented programming,
• Using Python modules,
• Version control with GitHub.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to implement and analyze simple algorithms themselves and will be familiar with the following basic concepts:

• Variables, expressions, statements,
• Algorithms and data structures,
• Complexity (big O notation),
• Loops and conditions,
• Dynamic programming,
• Functions and classes,
• Python modules,
• Version control.

Additionally, students practice orally presenting their final projects related to the course and write a group report for it.

Course format
2 hours of lectures per week and 6 hours of computer lab per week.

Examination

• Weekly programming assignments [35%],
• Quizzes [15%],
• Final project (group project) [50%]: code (program) + a report (elaborating both theoretical and practical aspects of the implemented  code) + presentation

To pass the course, you must have at least a 5 for each component (quizzes, submission assignment, final project) and a satisfactory average (i.e., ≥ 5.5).

Retake and participation obligation

• There is no resit scheme for students with an unrounded final grade < 4. The resit is intended for students with a failing final grade but is ≥ 4. If you obtained at least a 4 and attended at least 70% of the werkcolleges, you may repair one of the parts.
• This retake will consist of a repair assignment, in which the same weighting of the components will continue to apply.

For students from other majors than Mathematics: 
Warning! This course can overlap with courses from your own programme. In particular, this course cannot be taken by students from Computer Science. If in doubt, contact your exam committee.