<p>I am considering taking an online MATLAB course. Actually, it may not be an option anymore based on the upcoming answer from the TAG coordinator in UCSB. This is a Distance Education course - completely online. I am from Sacramento and will be taking courses as well here. On the other hand, this online MATLAB course is in Santa Monica College - about 5 hours driving. I just mentioned the distance to let you know that I wont have any in-person interaction with the instructor at all. This is a requirement for TAG and there is no college or university near here that offers this course. I am majoring in Chemical Engineering and planning to transfer in UCSB.</p>
<p>Anyways, I want to know how hard MATLAB would be for a student like me. Here is my background/situation:
1. Previous Preparatory Courses
General Chemistry I (5) - A
General Chemistry II (5) - B
Organic Chemistry I (5) - A
Organic Chemistry II (5) - A
Calculus I (5) - B
Calculus II (5) - C <<< I wish I had an option to take this with other prof. F***
Differential Equation (4) - A</p>
<ol>
<li><p>NO COMPUTER PROGRAMING EXPERIENCE AT ALL!! (C+, C++, JAVA, etc..)</p></li>
<li><p>I will have no interaction (just like I mentioned above)</p></li>
<li><p>I have no online class experience (However, some of my previous courses used respective online website to do homework, submit projects, etc).</p></li>
<li><p>I will be taking this course along with
a. Intro. Physics for Engineering - 4 units
b. Calculus III - 5 units
c. Sociology (Racial & Ethnicity Relation in US) - 3 units (Just an option)</p></li>
<li><p>I might work for no more than 12 hours a week - OChem Tutor</p></li>
<li><p>I might also do volunteer (college Chemistry stockroom)</p></li>
<li><p>I have some family responsibilities like driving ad other house chores.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I need your help, please. I am really anxious about this class. I will appreciate any comment, experience, and/or suggestion you have.</p>
<p>A programming class beforehand would be nice, but if that’s not a required prerequisite, go ahead and take the on-line class.</p>
<p>Even though Matlab was used in a couple of classes I took, I mostly learned it from a little, green Matlab primer. As programming goes, Matlab’s language isn’t that difficult.</p>
<p>Did you take in in a regular class?
Do you have programming background when you took it?</p>
<p>Here’s the description of the class:</p>
<p>CS 30, MATLAB Programming 3 units
Transfer: UC, CSU • Prerequisite: Math 7. <<< (Calculus I)</p>
<p>MATLAB is a scientific computing tool for data modeling and analysis, image processing, and other data intensive applications. This class is designed for science major students. It covers the basics of programming using MATLAB and uses numerical methods as an application to help students learn how to accelerate simple and complex numerical data modeling and analyses.</p>
<p>MATLAB is one of the easiest languages I have learned, and I know quite a few languages. It has a more mathematical syntax that allows using short pieces of code, compared to things like C and C++. Since you have no programming background, it could be tough initially. However, it shouldn’t be too hard once you learn the basics. You can send me a message if you ever want some help, too.</p>
<p>“MATLAB is one of the easiest languages…”
I see. Also, based on my research, this is the most common comment/opinion I have seen about MATLAB. They say that MATLAB is the best programming tool to learn for beginners because it is easier than other programming tool.</p>
<p>“It has a more mathematical syntax that allows using short pieces of code, compared to things like C and C++. Since you have no programming background, it could be tough initially.”
This is where my anxiety kicks in - I don’t even know what syntax means. I know that the beginning process of learning is hard. However, I am not a very smart person. I am more a hard working person. I also notice about myself that I am more of like trial and error person - doing/exploring without reading instruction/manual. I am not sure if this will be a big factor in this class.</p>
<pre><code> Anyways, thank you aerokid1491. I will take your offer. Whenever I decided to take this class, I will contact you. And as soon as I encountered a problem, I hope you are available to help me - of course, I will contact the professor first but she has a reputation of not responding to emails.
I am anxious more about this class than any other of my classes because this is pure online - like I mentioned. In addition, I don’t have any programming experience. The professor who teaches this class also has a bad reputation. I know that I am starting to repeat myself here. I am just scared.
</code></pre>
<p>I hope anyone else can share their thoughts about MATLAB.</p>
<p>Syntax is just the way you need to write in a given language to accomplish what you want. For example, to print words to the screen, the following are true for a variety if languages:</p>
<p>All three do the same thing, but they have different ways to do it. Another example is below.</p>
<p>MATLAB:</p>
<p>for ii = 1:10
%Do something
end</p>
<p>C++:</p>
<p>for( int ii=1; ii<= 10; ii++)
{
//Do something
}</p>
<p>These are for loops, a basic structure used in many programming languages. In MATLAB, you can see it is simplified and doesn’t require any parenthesis or brackets. Also, you see the comments, things that just tell the code writer what is happening, are denoted by % in MATLAB and // in C++. </p>
<p>Anyways, that’s the syntax differences to hopefully shed light on that. Just PM me later about questions you have.</p>
<p>So, basically, syntax is like human language (more of like words)- different spelling and pronunciation but have same meaning, am I right?</p>
<p>I see. Based on your given examples, it looks like MATLAB is more straightforward. This makes easier for the beginners to learn. I guess the main key in learning MATLAB (and other programming tool) would be understanding the meaning/purpose of each symbols which is probably the hardest part, I guess. Correct me if I am wrong here. Another issue is that MATLAB is use to interpret numbers more (math) than words. Correct me again here if I am wrong.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the offer. Don’t worry, I wont be bugging you like a child. I always try to figure out things as much as possible before resorting for help.</p>
<p>Essentially that is what syntax is, yes. And the challenge will come for you when you have to learn the syntax and try and remember the best things to use to solve a problem efficiently. However, once you get used to it, it won’t be too bad and then you can use those basic programming concepts and learn new languages!</p>
<p>Matlab interprets words as much as most other languages similar to it, I believe. The syntax is just easier. You will also come to enjoy all of its plotting capabilities which most other languages don’t have readily available.</p>
<p>To Lemaitre1:
I have actually checked both of these universities. Unfortunately, I have no luck. </p>
<p>CSU Sacramento has a programming course close to what I need which is this one:
*ENGR 50. Computational Methods and Applications. Computational methods for solving problems in analysis and design. Introduces lower division students to the use of computer technology for the computations required to solve real world problems in science and engineering. Includes introduction to numerical techniques, introduction to structured programming, and graphic visualization. Practical applications of analysis and design using tools such as MATLAB and C++. Emphasis is on developing confidence and skill in finding computational solutions to practical science and engineering problems. Portable computer recommended. Lecture three hours. Prerequisite: Math 30 and PHYS 11A; Physics 11A may be taken concurrently Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0 </p>
<p>As you can see, it has a combination of MATLAB and C++. Most of the UCs that has Chemical engineering require only MATLAB course programming. This CSU Sac course may not be equal, or in that matter, be acceptable as an equivalent course of each respective UC. In addition, it has prerequisite courses that I haven’t taken yet. So, this cannot be an option.</p>
<p>On the other hand, UC Davis do offer this course - pure MATLAB course for engineering. However, non-UC students are not allowed to take this course or any other course during normal terms (Fall - Spring). All UC, including Berkeley, are open to everyone to take this course along with other courses only during summer. Since all the required courses must be completed at the end of spring due to TAG agreement, there is no way for me to take this during summer.</p>
<p>I first used MATLAB in a finance class, and later used it for a computational math class. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, I have a computer science degree.</p>
<p>From reading the course description, I’d expect the instructor will be teaching you MATLAB as you progress through the course. There will probably be other people in the same situation as you.</p>
<p>I’m sure they do. It just won’t be called matlab as the course name. At my school the course where you learn matlab is called statistical and computational methods. </p>
<p>I took C++ online, just follow the examples in the book and you should be ok. If you are so worried, get a copy of the student edition and look at some free Matlab books online to get started.</p>
You’re right. I just read the instructor’s tentative schedule which is this:
Week Topic
1 About MATLAB
2 MATLAB environment
3 Built-in MATLAB functions
4-5 Manipulating MATLAB matrices
6 Plotting
7-8 User-defined functions
9 User-controlled input and output
10-11 Logical functions and control structures
12 Matrix algebra
13 Other kinds of arrays
14 Symbolic mathematics
15 Numerical techniques
16 Final Exam week
The website does not indicated that everything there is updated though. So, I am not sure if it will be the same each (following) semester.</p>
<p>
I think so too. Other school (specifically UC) may force transfer students (like me now) to take a MATLAB course somewhere with equivalent to theirs if it is required for their respective majors for them to be eligible for TAG. I understand their reason for this. For example, if you look at the upper division courses in UCSB chemical engineering, you wont be able to graduate in just two years without taking this equivalent course. You will have to spend one more quarter or so in UCSB.</p>
<p>To Lookin4ward:
I hope so. The professor has a reputation for being conceptual when it comes to the exams instead of memorizing the materials and HW.</p>
<p>
I might as well do this. Even if that I don’t take this course in the fall, I will have take this course anyways in the spring. Might as well buy MATLAB application now and start exploring it. >>>>>>>However, I don’t know which edition is the requirement for this class.<<<<<<</p>
<p>I know. Even if its hard class - due to materials and crazy instructor, I wont have any other choice. I just have to suck it up. </p>
<p>By the way, is MATLAB program like Microsoft office that you can save in your computer without expiration and such. I know some programs like Mastering chemistry, Mastering Physics, WileyPlus, etc that you buy a code for like $80 and so and you can only access the program in their website and then has an expiration of 1 year and so.</p>