MATH 2011 Programming for Math and Science
This is the Spring 2026 class webpage for Section L01 of MATH 2011 Programming for Math and Science at Fordham.
Welcome to MATH 2011: Programming for Math and Science!
Course description: This course focuses on Python programming and scripting of algorithms coming from basic linear algebra. Students develop their own implementations that form the basis of many computational methods. The course is accessible to students in mathematics and the physical, social, and computer sciences.
Note: Four-credit courses that meet for 150 minutes per week require three additional hours of class preparation per week on the part of the student in lieu of an additional hour of formal instruction.
Prerequisite: MATH 1206 (Calculus I).
Textbook: Rolf J. Ryham’s textbook (will distribute in class).
Software: Python 3, vim
Class: Monday’s and Wednesday’s at 11:30AM-12:45PM in LL1104.
Recitations: Monday’s at 1-1:50PM in LL1104.
Lecture and Recitation Instructor: Dr. Asimina Hamakiotes
- Contact: ahamakiotes@fordham.edu
- Office: LL817F
- Office Hours: Thursday’s 12:15-2:15PM in LL817F
Math Help Room: Additional help (outside of the lecturer and recitation leader’s office hours) can be found in the Math Help Room without making an appointment. The Math Help Room is staffed by math professors and undergraduate tutors during some time blocks between 9:00AM and 5:00PM from Monday’s through Friday’s. The Math Help Room is located in LL810 or LL812, depending on the time. The schedule for the Math Help Room can be found here.
Class structure
This class meets twice a week for lecture and once a week for recitation. Towards the bottom of this page, I have posted the tentative class schedule for the semester. I have written out which sections and topics of the textbook I plan to cover each class.
Participation and Attendance: You are expected to attend and fully participate in every class. This includes being called on to answer questions, ask questions, and discuss examples, and more. In the beginning of every class attendance will be taken. It is important to attend all classes since each class in this course will build off of the previous one. More than three unexcused absences will result in a significant lowering of your grade. If you know in advance that you will not be able to attend class or that you will arrive late, then email the instructor in advance.
Labs: The labs in the textbook will be started (and ideally done) during recitation. Labs will be submitted on dropbox (more information will be provided on blackboard about how to submit labs, etc.). Labs are due on Sunday’s at 11:59PM. All late labs will recieve a 0.
Homework: The exercises in the textbook will be the homework’s for this course. Homework will be submitted on dropbox (more information will be provided on blackboard about how to submit homework, etc.). Homework is due on Sunday’s at 11:59PM. All late homeworks will recieve a 0.
Midterm: There will be one midterm. Midterm 1 is on Wednesday 2/25/2026 in class. There will be no make-up exams unless.
Final Project: The final project will be cummulative and during the last week of classes (more information about the final project will be posted on blackboard). No make-ups will be given unless for a reason approved by the Dean of Students.
Grading: The course grade will be composed of participation, homework, labs, midterm, and a final project. The breakdown will be as follows:
| Course Component | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | |
| Labs | 20% | |
| Homework | 20% | |
| Midterm | 25% | |
| Final exam | 25% |
(All grades and assignments will be posted on Blackboard.)
Make-up policy: No make-up exams will be given after the exam date. If you know that you will miss an exam and have a good excuse, then you must let the instructor know in advance. You must follow the university’s policy on excused absences. In case of illness or other emergency on an exam date, contact the instructor by email as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Class schedule
| Date | Chapter | Topic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 1 | Introduction to Linux | ||
| 1/14 | 2 | Introduction to Python | ||
| 1/21 | 3 | Flow control | ||
| 1/26 | 4 | Containers | ||
| 1/28 | 4 | Containers | ||
| 2/2 | 5 | Functions and classes | ||
| 2/4 | 5 | Functions and classes | ||
| 2/9 | 6 | Complexity | ||
| 2/11 | 6 | Complexity | ||
| 2/17 | 7 | Vectors | ||
| 2/18 | 7 | Vectors | ||
| 2/23 | 8 | Projection | ||
| 2/25 | Midterm | |||
| 3/2 | 9 | Matrices | ||
| 3/4 | 9 | Matrices | ||
| 3/16 | 10 | Row reduction | ||
| 3/18 | 10 | Row reduction | ||
| 3/23 | 11 | Invertibility | ||
| 3/25 | 11 | Invertibility | ||
| 3/30 | 12 | Transpose | ||
| 4/1 | 12 | Transpose | ||
| 4/8 | 13 | Least squares | ||
| 4/13 | 14 | Sparse matrices | ||
| 4/15 | 14 | Sparse matrices | ||
| 4/20 | 15 | Gradient descent | ||
| 4/22 | 15 | Gradient descent | ||
| 4/27 | Final project | |||
| 4/29 | Final project |
(Spring Recess is March 9-15, 2026 and Easter Recess is April 2-6, 2026.)
Academic Integrity Statement: This course expects all students to act in accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy at Fordham University. Because questions of intellectual property are important to the field of this course, we will discuss academic honesty as a topic and not just a policy. If you have questions about academic integrity or intellectual property, you should consult with your instructor.
Students with Disabilities: If you would like to request accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) as soon as possible. The ODS will then let the instructor know what types of accommodations should be provided (but not the nature of the disability). You are also encouraged to let the instructor know any aspects of the course that are not easily accessible to you so that the instructor can provide any appropriate support. The ODS is located at LL408 and can be reached by email at disabilityservices@fordham.edu. Accommodations are NOT retroactive, so you need to register with ODS prior to receiving your accommodations.