What is Informatics?

The study of how information is collected, organized, manipulated, classified, stored, retrieved, and visualized.

We live in a data-centric world - just look at the web. There are many new data acquisition tools and nearly everyone is creating content. Everyday we are touched by informatics: email, Google, Travelocity, YouTube, Facebook, ... The key to making advances in areas such as science, engineering, and medicine, is to transform information into knowledge. Informatics provides the tools for this.

This course introduces the mathematical skills necessary to use and understand informatics tools. Topics will span the basics of discrete math, calculus concepts, numerical methods, analytic geometry, algorithms, and modeling. A high-level programming environment will be introduced and coupled with the topics. No prior background in computing is necessary.

The objective of this course is to give students the mathematical foundation necessary to use and understand informatics tools. Topics span several areas of mathematics, and this will give students a breadth of knowledge and an understanding of the importance of mathematics in computing. Students will be introduced to a high-level programming environment with a visualization component, and this will give students hands-on experience with the topics and enhance the learning experience.

Real-world examples from the students' disciplines will be used to motivate the topics. Students will gain hands-on experience through the use of computing and plotting programs such as Mathematica.

Students will leave the course prepared for an array of more advanced courses in informatics. Additionally, students will leave the course with an appreciation of advanced mathematics and be positioned to learn more advanced topics through self-study.

Major Topics Covered:

• Discrete math: first-order logic, sets, graphs, relations
• Numbers: number systems, floating point numbers, finite precision, scale
• Calculus concepts: differential and integral concepts, limits and continuity
• Algorithms: definition, types, and basics of complexity
• Programming concepts: types of programming languages and paradigms
• Analytic geometry basics: 2D and 3D geometry basics
• Numerical and statistical methods: linear maps, regression
• Modeling: abstraction, recursion, concurrency
• Ethics: societal impact of computational mathematics

This course is intended for students pursuing a Certificate in Informatics. (This course is not intended for Computer Science & Engineering majors.)

CPI 200 satisfies the General Studies MA requirement.

Text

I will provide course notes.

Also we will use interactive web tools in class.

Some projects will use Mathematica or EXCEL. (You will be taught the elements of these programs that you will need to use.)

Prerequisites

Students are expected to enter the course with College Algebra (MAT 117) or the equivalent.

Course Structure

• Lectures and demonstrations in class
  -- learn why the topic is important, learn the fundamentals, and see it at work
  
  
• Exercises: math topic + writing component + use of a software tool
  -- learn the topic, learn a tool, and learn to communicate better
  
  
• Presentation of (some of your) homework in class
  -- learn to present your ideas and field questions
  
  
• Student participation in lectures and presentations
  -- learn to speak the language of mathematics!

Grading

Exercises (6): 70%
Participation: 30%

"Plus grades" (A+, B+, etc) are earned through (consistent) above average class participation and exercises.

Final Grades updated 7 May 2008

Disability Resource Center:

Please check the website for ASU's Disability Resource Center for assistance. Students with special needs should contact the center a priori in order to secure assistance.

Academic Integrity:

The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students. The failure of any student to meet these standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the University or other sanctions as specified in the University Student Academic Integrity Policy.

Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, fabrication, tampering, plagiarism, or facilitating such activities.