Getting Started

Welcome to ENGR 11: Programming & Problem Solving in MATLAB. This ENGR 11 course is an introductory lower-division Engineering class designed to introduce you to MATLAB. For more about ENGR 11 at Foothill College, please see Foothill's Engineering Department website. 

Resources for the current quarter

Course Syllabus:       Winter 2025 Jeff Anderson’s Course Syllabus (incomplete draft 01/05/2025)

How to pass this class: Winter 2025 List of Final Deliverables for Your Learning Portfolio with Jeff Anderson

Meeting Schedule:   Winter 2025 Course Portfolio Meeting Schedule
Example Learning Conference Meeting Schedule

Math Discord: Discord Channel for Your Class this Quarter

Flipped Learning:         Winter 2025 Flipped Classroom Activity List for the first two weeks of this quarter

Content Calendar:       Beginner Calendar for spring 2024 (.pdf) - OUT OF DATE
Intermediate Calendar for spring 2024 (.pdf) - OUT OF DATE
Advanced Calendar for spring 2024 (.pdf) - OUT OF DATE

Course Emails: Jeff’s First Introduction to Conquering College Activities Email (Winter 2025)
 Jeff’s Add Code Email and Jeff’s Add Code Policy

Learning Reflections: Mid-Term Learning Self Evaluation Activity ( .docx ) or ( .pdf ) - due at start of week 6
Final Learning Self Evaluation Activity ( .docx ) or ( .pdf ) - due during final meeting

Final Course Eval: This Course’s Final Course Evaluation (Google Forms Survey)
A. Once you complete this survey, please take a snapshot of the confirmation page.
B. Show your snapshot of this page to Jeff to confirm you’ve finished this work.

How to keep learning:    Applied Linear Algebra: How to Keep Learning Guide (v09/22/2024)
MATLAB and Simulink Challenge Project Hub
MathWorks MATLAB and Simulink Training
Take Math 2BL at Foothill College in Winter and Spring 2025 (.pdf)
Take Engr 11 at Footihll College in Winter or Spring 2025 (.pdf)

Conquering College: Introduction to Conquering College Email (sent on 01/05/2025)
Lab 1 Prompt
Lab 2 Prompt
Lab 3 Prompt
Lab 4 Prompt
Incomplete Draft of Three Resume Trick Exercises (1/13/2025)

MATLAB Resources: Create Live Scripts in the Live Editor MATLAB Documentation Page

Course Goals and Learning Objectives

In this course, I want to distinguish between input goals, output goals, and learning objectives. I also want to help you move away from a content-centered approach to learning. Before your read the learning objectives I share below, please click on and read the following blog post so you can better understand my expectations for our class:

https://jeffandersonmath.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/what-are-the-differences-between-input-goals-output-goals-and-learning-objectives/

Jeff’s Suggested College-Degree Learning Objectives

I offer you five research-based anti-oppressive learning objectives that I invite you to work towards as you complete your college degree(s). Please click on the URL below and read the five learning objectives I share with you:

https://jeffandersonmath.wordpress.com/2024/10/28/five-anti-racist-research-based-learner-centered-learning-objectives-for-college-students-updated/

I expect you to think deeply about these five learning objectives as a fundamental part of the work we do together in this class. In fact, I include these same five learning objectives in our course syllabus. I also ask you to reflect on these five learning objectives as part of your work on your mid-term learning self reflection activity and on your final learning self reflection activity. I also hope you will continue to work towards these learning objectives long after you finish our course.

Jeff’s Suggested Lesson-by-Lesson Math Content-Expertise-Focused Learning Objectives for this Course

To access more information on the type of questions I want you to be able to answer in each individual lesson, click on the link below:

Engr 11 Lesson-by-Lesson Content-Specific Learning Objectives (Winter 2025 Students: Please help me with this)

This list should give you a very good idea of the ideas you might want to focus on in each lesson of this class while you are writing your lesson notes. Also, as you prepare for your in-class exams, you can use this list to focus your attention on the most relevant topics that we study in this class. 

For more about the exact content I want you to study and master, please study the math content learning resources available below. To access a master list of the videos we use in this course, please click on the link below:

Anderson’s Master List of MATLAB Videos (.pdf) or (.docx)

MATLAB Content Learning Resources

Engr 11, Unit 1: Introduction to MATLAB

In ENGR 11, we will familiarize ourselves with the MATLAB computing environment. Below I include links to all of the lecture notes that I have written for this course. Enjoy.

ENGR 11, UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO MATLAB
LESSON TITLE LESSON PLAYLIST
LESSON 1: THE MATLAB DESKTOP
  1. Lesson 1, Part 1 (pp. 1 - 39) Handout Draft (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 1, Part 1 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
  3. Lesson 1, Part 1: W19 Jeff's In-Class Live Script (.mlx)
  4. Lesson 1, Part 2 (pp. 40 - 70) Handout Draft (.pdf)
  5. Lesson 1, Part 2 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
  6. Lesson 1, Part 2: W19 Jeff's In-Class Live Script (.mlx)
  7. Lesson 1, Part 3 (pp. 71 - 100) Handout Draft (.pdf)
  8. Lesson 1, Part 3 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
  9. Lesson 1, Part 3: W19 Jeff's In-Class Live Script (.mlx)
LESSON 1, PART 1: PLAYLIST
LESSON 1, PART 2: PLAYLIST
LESSON 2: CREATE ARRAYS
  1. Lesson 2 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 2 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
  3. Lesson 2: W19 Jeff's In-Class Live Script (.mlx)
LESSON 2, PART 1: PLAYLIST
LESSON 2, PART 2: PLAYLIST
LESSON 3: LOGICAL DATA
  1. Lesson 3 Handout: Incomplete draft (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 3 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
LESSON 3, PART 1: PLAYLIST
LESSON 3, PART 2: PLAYLIST
LESSON 4: CONTROL FLOW
  1. Lesson 4 Handout: Incomplete draft (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 4 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
LESSON 4 PLAYLIST
LESSON 5: FUNCTION FILES
  1. Lesson 5 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 5 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
LESSON 6: PROGRAM DESIGN
  1. Lesson 6 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 6 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
UNIT 1 PROJECT: ELECTRIFY LINEAR-SYSTEMS PROBLEM
  1. Project Website: Electrify Linear-Systems Problem
UNIT 1 PROJECT, PART 1 PLAYLIST
UNIT 1 PROJECT, PART 2 PLAYLIST
UNIT 1 PROJECT, PART 3 PLAYLIST
UNIT 1 PROJECT, PART 4 PLAYLIST

Engr 11, Unit 3: Introduction to Numerical Analysis

ENGR 11, UNIT 3, INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
LESSON TITLE LESSON PLAYLIST
LESSON 1: UNSIGNED INTEGERS
  1. Lesson 1 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 1 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
  3. Lesson 1 Suggested Problems Draft Solutions (.pdf)
  4. Lesson 1 Suggested Problems Draft Solutions (.mlx)
LESSON 1, PART 1: PLAYLIST
LESSON 2: SIGNED INTEGERS
  1. Lesson 2 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 2 Suggested Problems (.pdf)
LESSON 3: FIXED-POINT NUMBERS
  1. Lesson 3 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 3, Part 2 Handout on ufixed data type (.pdf)
LESSON 4: FLOATING-POINT NUMBERS
  1. Lesson 4, Part 1 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Lesson 4, Part 2 Handout (.pdf)
  3. Cleve Moler's MATLAB Blog Post: “Half Precision” 16-bit Floating Point Arithmetic"
LESSON 5: THE IEEE 754 FORMAT
  1. Lesson 5 Handout (.pdf) (.pdf)
    1. IEEE 754 (Online) Calculator
    2. Official copy of IEEE 754, 2008 Version (.pdf)
    3. What Every Computer Scientist Should Know About Floating-Point Arithmetic by Goldberg
  2. The topic of IEEE 754 Format is rich, subtle, and worthwhile if you plan on incorporating numerial computation into your future career. There is fun and excellent book on the subject titled Numerical Computing with IEEE Floating Point Arithmetic by Michael L. Overton. In fact, I am interested in working with one (or more) students on an independent study in which we solve every exercise in Overton's book and then typeset our results in LaTeX. If this sounds interesting to you, please read more about my policies Independent Study courses. After you've read my policies, please think carefully about whether or not you meet the expectations I present. If you feel that you do and you are excited about this opportunity, please make an appointment to meet with me during student hours to learn more.
LESSON 6: PRECISION AND ACCURACY
  1. DRAFT Lesson 8 Handout (.pdf)
  2. Jeff's In-Class Handwritten Lesson 8 Notes (.pdf)
  3. The Definition of Numerical Analysis by Lloyd N. Trefethen


ENGR 11, Laboratory Resources

In ENGR 11, we enjoy a three hour laboratory session each week. When we are in lab together, I expect you to be actively working to complete the projects outlined in the laboratory prompts below. To find out more about the tentative schedule for laboratory exercises (and the focus of each lab meeting), please see the ENGR 11 Tentative Calendar, available in a link above.

ENGR 11, INTRODUCTION TO MATLAB
LESSON TITLE LESSON PLAYLIST
LABORATORY 1: MATLAB MEET AND GREET
  1. Laboratory 1 Prompt (.pdf)
LAB 1 PLAYLIST
LABORATORY 2: LEARN ABOUT SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING
  1. Laboratory 2 Prompt (.pdf)
    1. What Kind of Science is Computational Science by R. Allain
    2. What Kind of Science is Computational Science? A Rebuttal by T. Kolda
    3. Science Has Only Two Legs by M.Y. Vardi
    4. Why Scientific Programming Does Not Compute by Z. Merali
    5. Best Practices for Scientific Computer by G. Wilson et. al
    6. Anderson's Lab 2 Book Wishlist
  2. Anderson's Engr 11: Lab 2 Reading Worksheet (.docx)
  3. ENGR 11 Lab 2: Example Student work from Winter 2020 (.pdf)
LAB 2 PLAYLIST
LABORATORY 3: BEGIN BUILDING YOUR GOALS WITH MATLAB
  1. Laboratory 3 Prompt (.pdf)
    1. Write Down Your Goals by Jeff Anderson
    2. Write down your goals, continued... by Jeff Anderson
    3. Lab 3, Problem 1: 50 Year Plan in Quarters (.docx)
    4. Lab 3, Problem 1.D: 50 Year Plan in Semesters (.docx)
  2. Anderson's Engr 11: Lab 3 Reading Worksheet (.docx)
  3. ENGR 11 Lab 3: Example Student work from Winter 2020
    1. Example 1 : (.pdf calendar) or (.zip folder)
    2. Example 2 : (.pdf calendar)
    3. Example 3 : (.pdf calendar)
    4. Example 4 : (.pdf calendar) or (.zip folder)
LAB 3 PLAYLIST
LABORATORY 4: DEVELOP DOCUMENTATION SYSTEMS
  1. UPDATED BUT INCOMPLETE Lab 4 Prompt (.pdf)
  2. Lab 4 Worksheet (.docx)
LABORATORY 5: META-LEARNING FOR APPLIED PROJECTS
  1. Lab 5 Prompt: Jeff is drafting this in winter 2024 (.pdf)

Engr 11, Possible Applied Projects List

One of my major goals as your teacher in Engineering 11 is to help you set a foundation for using your computer and coding skills to solve problems you care about. With that in mind, I want us to work towards a world where you use continue to use MATLAB (or some similar computer program) for years after this class ends. If we do our work well, you can use MATLAB as a tool to solve homework problems in your other classes, to do research projects, and to create projects that you put on your resume.

With this goal in mind, I invite every student in this class to create their own applied project in MATLAB. This project is one that you believe will advance your learning and set you up for success in your future academic and career goals. As you craft your vision for this applied project, please integrate the learning your doing and ideas you are studying from the book Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott Young. Specifically, I encourage you to engage in thoughtful meta-learning routines to plan your applied project. As you do so, I want you to project into your future and think about what MATLAB skills might be relevant for the type of work you want to do. To help get the juices flowing, I provide some possible projects you might work on.

ENGR 11, POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR FUN APPLIED PROJECTS
LESSON TITLE LESSON PLAYLIST
OPTION 1: ELECTRIFY THE LINEAR-SYSTEMS PROJECT
  1. Lab 5 Prompt: Draft2 from 3/3/2021 (.pdf)
  2. LANA Example 2: Blank Measurement Template (.pdf)
  3. LANA Example 2: Video of Measurement Process (YouTube)
  4. LANA Example 3 Circuit: Blank Measurement Template (.pdf)
  5. LANA Example 3 Circuit: W21 Student Measurements (.pdf)
  6. A-Level Problem: LANA Anderson's Example Circuit (.pdf)
  7. P-Block Information Sheet: Draft 3 (.pdf)

ENGR 11, Exam Resources

As you prepare for your in-class exams, you can use the resources below to help focus your attention.

ENGR 11, EXAM RESOURCES
IN-CLASS EXAM 1
  1. Math 1D: Write Your Own Exam Problems Assignment (.pdf)
  2. ENGR 11 Sample Exam 1, Blank Copy (.pdf)
  3. ENGR 11 Sample Exam 1, Draft Answers (.pdf)
  4. Winter 2020, Eng 11: Student Exam 1 Review Questions (.pdf)
  5. ENGR 11, Exam 1 Correction Form (.pdf)
IN-CLASS FINAL EXAM (WINTER 2019)
  1. ENGR 11: Final Exam Information W2019 (.pdf)
  2. ENGR 11: Sample Exam 2, Blank Copy (.pdf)
  3. ENGR 11: Sample Exam 2, Draft Solutions (.pdf)
  4. Winter 2020, Eng 11: Student Exam 2 Review Questions (.pdf)
  5. Winter 2020, Eng 11: Exam 2, Jeff's Draft Answers
  6. ENGR 11: Final Exam Corrections Instructions (.pdf)

ENGR 11, A-Level Tasks

Below are prompts for A-level tasks in this course.

ENGR 11, A-LEVEL TASKS
LESSON TITLE LESSON PLAYLIST
MORTGAGE LOAN CALCULATOR PROBLEM (A-LEVEL TASKS)
  1. Mortgage Loan Calculator Prompt (.pdf)

Useful Links and Reference Material

As you might have noticed, this class is an introduction to the MATLAB Environment. Such an introduction fits nicely into the field of Numerical Analysis. Below, I provide to you a list of useful reference material for students who are interested in learning more about this subject. I highly encourage such students to seek out future opportunities to develop their competence with MATLAB as a programming language and with the major ideas of Numerical Analysis.

Some Disasters attributed to bad numerical computing (by Douglas N. Arnold)

WEBSITES OF NUMERICAL ANALYSTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY WORKING (CERCA 2019)
Davis, Tim (Texas A & M University, TX, USA)
Demmel, James (UC Berkeley in Berkeley, CA, USA)
Elden, Lars (Linköping University in Linköping, Sweden)
Higham, Nicholas (University of Manchester in Manchestor, UK)
Nakatsukasa, Yuji (National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo, Japan)
Trefethen, Nick (University of Oxford in Oxford, UK)