Welcome to CSE.C20 / 16.C20 / 18.C20

Introduction to Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)!

Would you like to learn more about this class? Here is a webpage with additional info on the class, including some recent articles written about it.

Please consult the course syllabus for policies regarding assignments, grading, late days, collaborations, and check-offs.

We will use MITx for finger exercises, micro-quizzes, and notes. Consult this How-To page for instructions.

Staff:

Dave Darmofal (instructor)

Renato Trono Figueras (TA)

Mikayla Britsch (UTA)

Mark Chiriac (UTA)

Katie Crowley (UTA)

Click here to email the staff

Office hours:

Office hours will be held hybrid on-campus and virtually. The on-campus rooms will be:

Mondays: 7-9pm (Room 33-419)
Tuesdays: 7-8pm (Room 33-422)
Wednesdays: 6-7pm (Room 33-419)
Thursdays: 7-8pm (Room 33-419)*
Fridays: 2-4pm (Room 37-212)

The virtual location will be on Zoom using the following link.

Only one staff member at a time will be giving the office hours. So, if you join by Zoom, the staff member may not be visible on their video, as they may be working with people in the physical room. Please just stay logged on until the staff person returns to the Zoom room. Staff members will stay logged in (so you will know they are in office hours, even if they are not currently able to interact with you).

*On Thursday April 20, the room location will be 33-319.

Lecture: Room 1-390

MW 3:00 pm–4:30 pm

MITx How-To page

MITx site for finger exercises, microquizzes, and notes

Check-offs: Zoom link

Q&A: Piazza

schedule CSE.C20 spring 2023.png

This class is an alternative track for 6.100B, first offered in Fall 2020. Like 6.100A, this subject will continue to help you learn to solve problems using computers. The basic structure of the class is similar to 6.100A/B including the use of Python. The difference will be the algorithms: in this CSE.C20, emphasis will be on computational science and engineering (CSE) algorithms while 6.100B will emphasize data science and machine learning algorithms. As you will see, CSE sits at the intersections of mathematics, computer science, and science & engineering.

What is Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)? In computer science, we study algorithms for tasks like sorting a list, partitioning a graph, finding the shortest path, and many more. In CSE, we first look to the sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, Earth sciences, social sciences,…), find the equations that describe some phenomenon, and then study the algorithms that solve those equations or manipulate them somehow. These mathematical equations are called models, and they include Newton’s law (F=ma), mass balance and reaction rates for chemical or biological compounds, the laws of electromagnetism, etc. They often involve implicit relationships like differential equations that still need to be solved with algorithms to reveal useful information. Setting up models and solving them is universal and powerful -- all engineering and science fields use models from robotics to climate science, atomic to planetary motion, epidemiology, material science to electrical engineering, and so on. CSE also enables optimization, control, data fitting, and uncertainty quantification for the systems described by those models.

The purpose of this class is to give an introduction to programming in Python from the point of view of CSE. Our examples will be algorithms that deal with models, instead of the traditional algorithms from computer science. Since we will use examples of models from across the sciences and engineering, this half-semester journey might also play a role in helping you identify a major! Whether you follow this track in CSE.C20, or the data science / machine learning track of 6.100B, should ultimately not prevent you from taking the more advanced subjects of either track later on.

Office hours and piazza. There will be office hours (times listed above). We are running a piazza site for Q&A, with the ability to post anonymously, see link on the left.

Frequently asked questions

Q: When will lectures for be held?

A: Lectures will be held in room 1-390 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm (EST). Note this time slot coincides with the 6.100B lectures. The first lecture will start on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Q: What level of programming experience do I need?

A: This course is intended for, but not limited to, students who have just taken 6.100A. Don’t worry if you consider yourself a novice programmer! The point of this class is still to get you comfortable with programming. We use the same Python and Spyder environment as 6.100A so the transition should be seamless.

Q: What level of math/physics experience do I need?

A: You should be taking as a co-req the Physics 1 and Calculus 1 GIR. Our plan is to build from a very basic level of: linear algebra, single-variable integration and differentiation, and Newtonian mechanics (enough to know F=ma, a = dv/dt and v = dx/dt with a little intro).

Q: Can I enroll in 6.100B and CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 concurrently this semester and get credit for both?

A: No, unfortunately, it is “exclusive or” -- you can only take one of these classes for credit. However, you are of course welcome to register as a listener.

Q: Can I take 6.100B for credit this semester, and then CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 for credit next semester?

A: No, the classes are considered equivalent and you can only take one for credit.

Q: Can I take 6.100A this semester and enroll in CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 in a later semester (without taking 6.100B at all)?

A: Yes, certainly!

Q: Does CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 satisfy REST requirements?

A: Yes.

Q: If a major lists 6.100B as a requirement, will they automatically accept CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 in its place?

A: As it stands, the following majors automatically accept CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 as substitute for their 6.100B requirement:

Course 6-7
Course 6-14
Course 9
Course 15-2
Course 16/16-ENG
Course 20
Course 22/22-ENG

A major that is not listed above does not indicate they are unwilling to accept CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 (perhaps we forgot to update the list, or we have not heard back yet.) If you have specific concerns please feel free to reach out to us via email so that we can make it a priority.

Q: If a subject lists 6.100B as a pre-requisite, will they automatically accept CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 in its place?

A: Not necessarily. While we believe that the differences in what you will learn in 6.100B vs. CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 are small enough that most subjects will be fine with either, we can imagine for some subjects that might not be true. Therefore, we strongly recommend checking with instructors of any subjects now about this. And, we will help you with this. We can tell you more about the specific differences between 6.100B and CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20, and you can also copy us into any emails you send to instructors. We are in your corner and will help you use CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 as a pre-requisite in place of 6.100B, however, we can't guarantee for all subjects that this will be possible.

Q: Can I sit in both and decide which variant I want to attend after a week? Can I switch from 6.100B to CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 part-way through the course?

A: Yes, so as long as you comply with the half term add/drop date deadlines (see: the following Registrar webpage ) However, work submitted for one class will not count in your grade for the other class. Thus, you will need to complete work in both classes (until you decide which one you will take).

Q: What will I miss out on by taking CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 instead of 6.100B, or vice versa?

A: Don’t worry about “missing out” on anything! Both 6.100B and CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 are introductory level courses that just give you a flavor of different topics. You will almost certainly encounter these topics again in later courses, in far more depth. For now, just compare the list of topics and see which interests you more!

In general, if you enjoy scientific and engineering disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology, fluid dynamics, mechanics, Earth sciences, social sciences, ...) and learning about equations that model some phenomenon, CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 will likely interest you as we will study the algorithms that use computers to solve those equations somehow.

Q: Why are there three course codes? Should I register for CSE.C20 or 16.C20 or 18.C20? What is the difference between them? Am I declaring a major by choosing which one I sign up for?

A: The course codes are purely administrative and refer to the exact same class. You are not implicitly declaring a major by enrolling in any of those.

Q: If I want to major in Course ___ which version should I register for?

A: It doesn't matter. However, it is probably true if you plan to be a Course 16 or 18 major, then picking the corresponding subject number may help your advisors and academic administrators know what you are talking about when you say 16.C20 or 18.C20 was the best class you've ever had =)

Q: If I want to work at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google, which version of the class should I take?

A: Neither 6.100B nor CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 will limit your choices of future employment, so you should just register for the variant that interests you more.

Q: If I want to do a UROP, which version of the class should I take?

A: Neither 6.100B nor CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 will limit your choices of UROP positions, so you should just register for the variant that interests you more.

Q: If I want to apply to grad school / med school / law school / business school / Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters / Starfleet Academy, which version of the class should I take?

A: Neither 6.100B nor CSE.C20/16.C20/18.C20 will limit your choices of future career paths, so you should just register for the variant that interests you more.

Q: What if I have a question that’s not addressed here?

A: Feel free to email us at intro-to-cse-staff@mit.edu, we’ll be happy to help!