Objectives
The computer (software) is a tool - it is NOT the ultimate objective!.
In practice, a substantial effort will be devoted to
learning how to use the computer as a tool.
The software also promotes a considerably
cleaner language, more accurate mathematics than
is often encountered in courses relying only
on pencil and paper work.
At the end of the semester each
student shall be able to:
- decide whether CAS is an appropriate tool for solving
almost any given problem involving undergraduate mathematics
- locate the necessary resources (HELP) needed
to solve such problems
- use the CAS to solve the problem
- judge whether the solution obtained may be trusted,
and if necessary, devise tests to confirm the correctness
or that prove it wrong.
- explain (in a language understandable by scientists who are
not familiar with CAS) why the CAS is or is not suitable
for the problem, and why or why not the solution can be
trusted.
An older version
of possible objectives emphasized more learning of specific
content in mathematics. The rewritten version presented above
corresponds to emphasizing the "via" in the title
of the course.