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Department of Mathematical Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


MA40044: Mathematical methods 1

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: MA40044 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take MA20216 and take MA20220 and take MA20223 and take PH30054 and in taking this unit you cannot take MA30044. This unit may only be taken by students on Mathematics and Physics programmes.
Click here for further information Description: Aims & Learning Objectives:
Aims:
To furnish the student with a range of analytic techniques for the solution of ODEs and PDEs with applications to advanced physical problems.
Objectives: Students should be able to obtain the solution of certain ODEs and PDEs, and in cases interpret these in physical terms. They should also be aware of certain analytic properties associated with the solution e.g. uniqueness.

Content:
Sturm-Liouville theory: Reality of eignevalues. Orthogonality of eigenfunctions. Expansion in eigenfunctions. Approximation in mean square. Statement of completeness. Fourier Transform: As a limit of Fourier series. Properties and applications to solution of differential equations. Frequency response of linear systems. Characteristic functions. Linear and quasi-linear second-order PDEs in two independent variables: Cauchy-Kovalevskaya theorem (without proof). Characteristic data. Lack of continuous dependence on initial data for Caucy problem. Classification as elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic. Different standard forms. Constand and nonconstant coefficients. One-dimensional wave equation: d'Alembert's solution. Uniqueness theorem for corresponding Cauchy problem (with data on a spacelike curve). Applications to physical problems. Translate advanced physical problems into mathematical form; obtain and interpret mathematical solutions.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

MA40044 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 3

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.