Math 324 -
Syllabus --
Fall 2006
Text: Applied
Partial Differential Equations by J. David Logan Second Edition
Info about the course: Following ordinary differential
equations, Intro to PDEs is a first incursion into the systematic
study of differential equations that
involve functions and
derivatives with respect to more than one variable. Obviously,
the course relies heavily on a good understanding of ordinary
differential equations and calculus in higher dimensions
(differentiation, integration for functions of more than one variable).
We will often follow a modeling approach in
deriving PDEs (e.g. for the heat equation), so some basic concepts from
physics will be needed. Besides
deriving PDEs
we will also be interested in solving them, sometimes by imposing
additional conditions (initial or boundary conditions).
As with any other mathematics course, rigour in writing arguments and
proofs is a must. Clear notation, good use of
mathematical quantifiers, correct arguments should be always on your
mind when taking notes, solving homework or
exam problems. What you write someone will read! - so do make sure that
your ideas are transparent to the reader
(be it you or someone else).
Computer Lab / Calculators:
Students can use the computers from the Mathematics
Department
Computer Laboratory
in Avery 18 with their university account (go to
http://activedir.unl.edu to
activate your account). There will be a very
short introduction to Maple for
gaining more insight into the
material. Student versions of
Maple or Mathematica are
available for purchase in the
campus computer shop. During the semester at least two or three
lectures will be held in
the Computer Laboratory (Avery 18), so students will
get familiarized with simple programming in Maple and also with
using
the computer to solve partial differential equations. The use of calculators will not be allowed
during exams.
The
use of any
other electronic device (cell phones, ear pieces etc.) is not
permitted during class time or during exams.
Assessment: Your final
grade will be computed based on the following scheme.
20 % Homework
25 % Exam 1
25 % Exam 2
30 % Final Exam
The final letter grade will be computed based on the
following table:
Final average
|
98-100
|
92-98
|
88-92
|
85-88
|
80-85
|
77-80
|
74-77
|
70-74
|
67-70
|
64-67
|
60-64
|
55-60
|
<55
|
Letter grade
|
A+
|
A
|
A-
|
B+
|
B
|
B-
|
C+
|
C
|
C-
|
D+
|
D
|
D-
|
F
|
Honor Code:
Some of
your work during the course will be done individually, while some will
be collaborative.
I expect you to acknowledge the help you have received from your
colleagues, outside friends, or me on homework
assignments. I will assume that you will adhere to the UNL
Policy on Academic Honesty.
Course
Policy:
Class attendance is expected.
If you miss a class it is your responsibility to get
the material
from your
colleagues. Extensions for homework assignments will not be allowed.
Make-up exams
will be
administered only in
extreme cases. Cheating will
be penalized by at best giving a lower letter for the course
grade.
Scheduling: A
tentative schedule for the first few weeks of classes is listed below.
These details are presented as a
guide, the instructor may add or delete topics from this list, may
change the
dates for the
exams. It is your responsibility
to keep track of the course details
and the schedule.
Week 08/21 -- 08/25: Review on Ordinary Differential Equations
Modeling with PDEs
Conservation Laws. The Method of Characteristics
Week 08/28 -- 09/01: Diffusion
PDEs in Biology
Vibrations and Acoustics
Week 09/04 -- 09/08: Labor Day - No class
Heat Flow in Three Dimensions
Laplace's Equation
Week 09/11 -- 09/15: Classification of PDEs
Cauchy Problem for
the Heat Equation
Cauchy Problem for the Wave Equation
If you have any
questions
or suggestions, please feel free to bring them
up!