Introduction to Programming with MATLAB
Vanderbilt University
About this Course
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.
Skills you will gain
MatlabProblem SolvingDebuggingMathematical OptimizationData Structure
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
Course Pages
1 video (Total 2 min), 3 readings
1 videos
3 readings
Syllabus10m
Grading and Logistics10m
Recommended Textbook10m
2
Section
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.
7 videos (Total 132 min), 1 reading
7 videos
Introduction12m
Running MATLAB11m
The MATLAB Desktop0m
MATLAB as a Calculator14m
Syntax and Semantics5m
Help8m
Plotting19m
1 readings
Lesson 1: The MATLAB Environment10m
3
Section
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.
7 videos (Total 95 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
7 videos
The Colon Operator8m
Accessing Parts of a Matrix21m
Combining and Transforming Matrices10m
Arithmetic Part 118m
Arithmetic Part 211m
Operator Precedence13m
1 readings
Lesson 2: Matrices and Operators10m
1 practice exercises
Lesson 220m
4
Section
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.
8 videos (Total 102 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
Function I/O22m
Formal Definition of Functions2m
Subfunctions6m
Scope5m
Advantages of Functions2m
Scripts4m
Problem Solving52m
2 readings
Lesson 3: Functions10m
HW 3 Solutions10m
5
Section
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.
5 videos (Total 83 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Matrix Building15m
Input / Output20m
Plotting17m
Debugging22m
2 readings
Lesson 4: Programmer's Toolbox10m
HW 4 Solutions10m
6
Section
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.
7 videos (Total 80 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
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
HW 5 Solutions10m
7
Section
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.
5 videos (Total 133 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Lesson 6: Loops10m
Homework 6 Solutions10m
8
Section
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.
4 videos (Total 86 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Lesson 7: Data Types10m
Homework 7 Solutions10m
9
Section
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.
4 videos (Total 75 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 readings
Lesson 8: File I/O10m
Homework 8 Solutions10m
4.8
41%
83%
11%
Top Reviews
By MK•Sep 25th 2016
There is much more to MATLAB than what the course can cover. But It has definitely provided me with the necessary skills and confidence to use it in tackling the practical problems in the real world.
By CM•Jul 20th 2017
It was a very involving course! Everything is taught by doing it practically. Assignments are really good and make you adept in what you learn the whole week. As far, the Best MOOC I've completed.
Instructors
Akos Ledeczi
Professor of Computer Engineering / Senior Research Scientist
Mike Fitzpatrick
Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neurosurgery, and RadiologyAbout 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
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