GEOS 597e: Spatiotemporal Data Analysis Workshop
Prework 1:  Familiarize yourself with the MATLAB computing environment

Last updated 8/22/06.  To be completed prior to class session Weds., Aug 30th.

Introduction:

As a result of Homework 0, you have your CLUE lab account and can find your way around MATLAB on the CLUE PCs.  This week we'll learn about some fundamental MATLAB functions and how to use them in scripted programq. 

Reading:
 Tasks:
  1. Here is a list of MATLAB commands you might use to solve computational classwork assignments over the course of the semester.  Dividing the list amongst class participants, create a simple html webpage which links each function in the list to its official matlab documentation page, and give an example of the use of the function.  For example:

function and link
 		one-line synopsis
 simple example
axis specify the axis extremes on a plot plot(1:10,1:10);axis([0 11 0 11])

Using the html document containing the function list as a template, email your contribution to the complete function webpage to me.  One of you will also email me the complete compiled webpage by 30 August 2006, 12pm so I can post it in time for class.  The time you spend on this assignment should be inversely proportional to your familiarity with MATLAB, but should be well worth it for future assignments.
  1. Felleisen et al. (2003) would say that students are very slow computers programmed by teachers.  Explain in a few sentences why you agree or disagree with this opinion.
  2. You have probably programmed computers at one time or another.  Write a list briefly giving the programming practices you follow when using a computer to perform research.
Back to Schedule/Syllabus.