535.610.81 - Computational Methods of Analysis

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. Please refer to assignments in Canvas for due dates and instructions.

Course Topics

Course Goals

Course goals are that students will be able to take a real-world problem, break it down to its component parts, perform computational analysis, and report findings in a comprehensive and informative manner. An additional goal is understanding the tradeoffs between complexity, cost, and utility of the chosen approach.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Break down a problem and choose which computational tool(s) would capture the most relevant processes.
• Understand the tradeoff of computational detail, hardware utilization, and accuracy.
• Apply computational tools to provide insight into complex phenomena while making best use of the hardware available.
• Make use of real-time and/or post-processing analysis to provide evidence and make conclusions.
• Evaluate computational approach and recommend modifications and improvements.
• Solve a complex problem using computational tools while constructing thorough and complete documentation.

Textbooks

There are no required texts for this course; all reference materials will be provided within each module.

Other Materials & Online Resources

Please make full use of online resources, the Internet is the computational scientist and engineer's greatest tool.

Required Software

ANACONDA

There are many options for our environment; in our case we will use ANACONDA, which is an open-source Python natural language toolkit (not a snake).

ANACONDA is free for students, academics, and hobbyist use.

ANACONDA can be downloaded at https://www.anaconda.com/ and is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

• Installing on Windows: https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/windows/
• Installing on macOS: https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/mac-os/
• Installing on Linux: https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/linux/

Student Coursework Requirements

Your course grade will be derived from the following categories and percentages:

• Preparation and Participation (15% of Final Grade)
• Assignments (40% of Final Grade)
• Exams (15%of Final Grade)
• Course Project (30% of Final Grade)

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.