Math 3993: Directed Study in Partial Differential Equations

Page Status: Current for Spring 2009
Last Update: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Page Author & Instructor: Barry McQuarrie

vibrating drumhead

Session: Spring 2009        Instructor: Barry McQuarrie        Office Hours:
Meeting Time TBA Office: Science 1380 M--F 12:00-1:30pm
Location: Sci 1380 Phone: 589-6302 (I do not use voicemail)
mcquarrb@morris.umn.edu drop in (if my door is open we can talk, if it is closed I am not available)
http://cda.morris.umn.edu/~mcquarrb/ other times via email appointment

Introduction

This page was prepared for a 2cr course (Math 3993 Directed Study) for Spring 2009. If you would like to take this as a directed study come and talk to me. You can sign up for directed studies at any point in the semester.

Course Prerequisites

Prerequisites: Multivariable Calculus, Ordinary Differential Equations, Mathematica experience, a willingness to work hard, and most importantly an ability to work on your own.

Recommended: Linear Algebra. A smattering of Analysis would not hurt in parts either.

Textbook

Partial Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Nakhle Asmar (first or second edition). Fabulous book, in my opinion.

Nakhle Asmar homepage with information related to his textbooks.

Course Components

Meetings. We will meet once a week to talk about what you have been working on. There will be no formal lectures. The meeting time will be determined based on the schedules of whoever is taking the course. This course should be thought of as an independent study, where you will work on material at your own pace throughout the semester. I will keep you on track and assist as needed (and, of course, provide the general outline of what you should focus on).

Assignments. The questions listed below will be turned in for grading. Each week turn in what you have completed so far. We can adjust as we go.

Final Paper. You will write a final paper based on either:

The paper should contain a summary of the concepts studied, and some example problems. It may contain some Mathematica, and if it does the Mathematica should be seamlessly integrated into the flow of the paper. The paper should be typed up using Word or LaTeX, or be written with exceedingly legible handwriting.

Grading

Here is the University-wide uniform grading policy.

The grade for the course will be calculated by the following formula:

Assignments 80%
Paper 20%

Your numerical grades will be converted to letter grades and finally Grade Points via the following cutoffs (see the UMM Catalog for more on Grades and Grading Policy):

Numerical 95% 90% 87% 83% 80% 77% 73% 70% 65% 60% Below 60%
Letter A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
Grade Point 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 1.33 1.00 0.00

Course Calendar

# Date Lecture Topic Homework Resources
 
1 Jan 25 Course Introduction  
2 Jan 27 2.1 Periodic Functions Periodic Functions (MMA)
3 Jan 29 2.2 Fourier Series 7, 24 Fourier Series (MMA)
Gibbs Phenomenon Applet
 
4 Feb 1 2.3 Fourier Series and Functions with Arbitrary Periods Fourier Series for Functions with arbitrary period (MMA)
5 Feb 3 2.4 Half-Range Expansions: The Cosine and Sine Series 17  
6 Feb 5 2.5 Mean Square Approximation and Parseval's Identity 18
 
7 Feb 8 2.6 Complex Form of Fourier Series  
8 Feb 10 2.7 Uniform Convergence of Sequences and Series of Functions
9 Feb 12 2.8 Dirichlet Test and Convergence of Fourier Series  
 
10 Feb 15 3.1 Partial Differential Equations in Physics and Engineering   Method of Characteristics: Notes | Mathematica
11 Feb 17 3.2 Modeling: Vibrating Strings and the Wave Equation 6
12 Feb 19 3.3 Solution of the 1D Wave Equation: Separation of Variables 12  
 
13 Feb 22 3.4 D'Alembert's Method 17  
14 Feb 24 3.5 The One Dimensional Heat Equation  
15 Feb 26 3.6 Heat Conduction in Bars: Varying the Boundary Condition 19, 20
 
16 Mar 1 3.7 The Two Dimensional Wave and Heat Equations 17  
17 Mar 3 3.8 Laplace's Equation in Rectangular Coordinates  
18 Mar 5 4.2 Vibrations of a Circular Membrane: Symmetric Case 10 Symmetric Vibrating Drumhead (MMA file)
General Vibrating Drumhead (MMA file) (based on 4.3)
 
19 Mar 8 5.2 Dirichlet Problems with Symmetry 12
20 Mar 10 6.1 Orthogonal Functions    
21 Mar 12 6.2 Sturm-Liouville Theory 35 Hanging Chain with Kick (MMA file) (based on 6.3)
 
Mar 15--19: Spring Break
 
22 Mar 22 7.1 The Fourier Integral Representation 23, 24
23 Mar 25 7.2 The Fourier Transform 1  
24 Mar 27 7.3 The Fourier Transform Method 23, 24