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Introduction to Programming with MATLAB

Vanderbilt University

About this Course

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This course teaches computer programming to those with little to no previous experience. It uses the programming system and language called MATLAB to do so because it is easy to learn, versatile and very useful for engineers and other professionals. MATLAB is a special-purpose language that is an excellent choice for writing moderate-size programs that solve problems involving the manipulation of numbers. The design of the language makes it possible to write a powerful program in a few lines. The problems may be relatively complex, while the MATLAB programs that solve them are relatively simple: relative, that is, to the equivalent program written in a general-purpose language, such as C++ or Java. As a result, MATLAB is being used in a wide variety of domains from the natural sciences, through all disciplines of engineering, to finance, and beyond, and it is heavily used in industry. Hence, a solid background in MATLAB is an indispensable skill in today’s job market.
Nevertheless, this course is not a MATLAB tutorial. It is an introductory programming course that uses MATLAB to illustrate general concepts in computer science and programming. Students who successfully complete this course will become familiar with general concepts in computer science, gain an understanding of the general concepts of programming, and obtain a solid foundation in the use of MATLAB.

Students taking the course will get a MATLAB Online license free of charge for the duration of the course. The students are encouraged to consult the eBook that this course is based on. More information about these resources can be found on the Resources menu on the right.

Learner Career Outcomes

39%

started a new career after completing these courses

35%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 35 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, Greek

Skills you will gain

Computer ProgrammingProblem SolvingMatlabProgramming Language

Learner Career Outcomes

39%

started a new career after completing these courses

35%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 35 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, Greek

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.81/5 (908 Ratings)

Akos Ledeczi

Professor of Computer Engineering / Senior Research Scientist

Electrical Engineering & Computer Science / Institute for Software Integrated Systems

274,054 Learners

1 Course

Mike Fitzpatrick

Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neurosurgery, and Radiology

Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Neurological Surgery, Radiology & Radiological Sciences

274,054 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tenn., is a private research university and medical center offering a full-range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(44,895 ratings)

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Course Pages

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 2 min), 3 readings

1 video

Course Preview2m

3 readings

Syllabus10m

Grading and Logistics10m

Recommended Textbook10m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

The MATLAB Environment

We will learn how to start MATLAB and will familiarize ourselves with its user interface. We will learn how to use MATLAB as a sophisticated calculator. We will learn about syntax and semantics. We will see ways in which MATLAB provides help. Finally, we will learn how to create plots in MATLAB.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 132 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

7 videos

Introduction12m

Running MATLAB11m

The MATLAB Desktop1h

MATLAB as a Calculator14m

Syntax and Semantics5m

Help8m

Plotting19m

1 reading

Lesson 1: The MATLAB Environment10m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Matrices and Operators

The basic unit with which we work in MATLAB is the matrix. We solve problems by manipulating matrices, and operators are the primary means by which we manipulate them. We will learn how to define matrices, extract parts of them and combine them to form new matrices. We will learn how to use operators to add, subtract, multiply, and divide matrices, and we will learn that there are several different types of multiplication and division. Finally, we will learn MATLAB’s rules for determining the order in which operators are carried out when more than one of them appear in the same expression.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 82 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes

6 videos

Introduction to Matrices and Operators11m

The Colon Operator8m

Accessing Parts of a Matrix21m

Combining and Transforming Matrices10m

Arithmetic Part 118m

Arithmetic Part 211m

1 reading

Lesson 2: Matrices and Operators10m

1 practice exercise

Lesson 2 Wrap-up20m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Functions

Functions let us break up complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. We will learn how functions let us create reusable software components that can be applied in many different programs. We will learn how the environment inside a function is separated from the outside via a well defined interface through which it communicates with that outside world. We will learn how to define a function to allow input to it when it initiates its execution and output from it when it is done.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 50 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

7 videos

Introduction to Functions5m

Function I/O22m

Formal Definition of Functions2m

Subfunctions6m

Scope5m

Advantages of Functions2m

Scripts4m

1 reading

Lesson 3: Functions10m

Week

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Programmer's Toolbox

MATLAB has useful built-in functions and we will explore many of them in this section. We will learn about polymorphism and how MATLAB exploits it to change a function's behavior on the basis of the number and type of its inputs. Because random numbers play an important role in computer programming, we will learn how to use the MATLAB random number generator. We will learn how to get input from the keyboard, how to print to the Command Window, and how to plot graphs in a Figure window. Finally, we will learn how to find programming errors with the help of the debugger.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 83 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

5 videos

Introduction to Programmer's Toolbox7m

Matrix Building15m

Input / Output20m

Plotting17m

Debugging22m

1 reading

Lesson 4: Programmer's Toolbox10m

Week

Week 6

5 hours to complete

Selection

Selection is the means by which MATLAB makes decisions about the order in which it executes its statements. We will learn how to use the if-statement, which is the most important method of selection. We will learn how to use relational operators and logical operators. We will learn how to write polymorphic functions and how to make functions resistant to error.

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 80 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

Selection11m

If-Statements, Continued8m

Relational and Logical Operators34m

Nested If-Statements2m

Variable Number of Function Arguments6m

Robustness8m

Persistent Variables6m

2 readings

Lesson 5: Selection10m

Solution to valid_date10m

Week

Week 7

7 hours to complete

Loops

Loops give computers their power. We will learn how to use both of MATLAB's loop constructs: the for-loop and the while-loop. We will learn how the break-statement works, and we will use nested loops. We will learn how to make loops more efficient. We will learn about logical indexing and will see how to use it to produce implicit loops that are efficient and easy for a user to understand.

7 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 133 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

For-Loops36m

While-Loops20m

Break Statements29m

Logical Indexing37m

Preallocation8m

2 readings

Lesson 6: Loops10m

Solution to max_sum10m

Week

Week 8

6 hours to complete

Data Types

Computers operate on bits, but humans think in terms of numbers, words, and other types of data. Like any good language, MATLAB organizes bits into convenient data types. We will study those types in this section. We will learn that there are ten types of numbers and that there are conversion functions to change one type into another. We will learn much more about strings and how the characters in them are encoded as numbers. We will learn how to produce heterogeneous collections of data via structs and cells, and we will learn how to store points in time and time durations.

6 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 194 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Introduction to Data Types20m

Character Arrays29m

Structs14m

Cells21m

The String Type (Introduced in 2017a)48m

The Datetime and Duration Types (Introduced in 2014b)59m

2 readings

Lesson 7: Data Types10m

Solutions to caesar10m

Week

Week 9

7 hours to complete

File Input/Output

Files are named areas in permanent memory for storing data that can be used as input or output to MATLAB and to other programs. We will be introduced to MATLAB’s most important methods for reading and writing files. We will learn how to create, read from, and write into MAT-files, Excel files, text files, and binary files. We will learn how to navigate among folders with MATLAB commands.

7 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 75 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes

4 videos

File Input/Output15m

Excel Files9m

Text Files12m

Binary Files38m

5 readings

Lesson 8: File I/O10m

Almost there!1m

Solutions to saddle10m

Image blur solution10m

Solution to echo_gen10m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.