620-232 Mathematical Methods

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

One of 620-112, 620-122, 620-200, 620-211, and one of 620-123 or 620-143 or [98]620-130 or [98]620-132.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject introduces the terminology of classifying and describing ordinary and partial differential equations; the concept of obtaining complete and general solutions. It develops general methods to solve linear ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations using Fourier series, Laplace transforms and special functions to provide solutions to such equations. Students should develop the ability to use standard methods such as Laplace transforms, series solutions, separation of variables for obtaining solutions. This subject demonstrates the complexity and the necessary ingredients required in obtaining solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations and indicates more advanced techniques available in further courses on mathematical methods.

Partial differential equations: Laplace's equation, wave equation and heat equation; separation of variables; Fourier series. Ordinary differential equations: introduction to Laplace transforms and applications; differential equations with variable coefficients, independent solutions, Wronskians; series solutions of ordinary differential equations; Bessel functions, Legendre polynomials and other special functions.

Assessment

Up to 24 pages of written assignments, a 3-hour end-of-semester written examination and class tests totalling not more than 3 hours.