MATH 372K (54475):  Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) and Applications – Fall17

General Information

Instructor: Irene M. Gamba (gamba@math.utexas.edu) 471-7150

Office hrs: RLM 10.166, W 2:00-3:00pm,

Lecture Room: CPE 2.210,  T-TH 11:00 – 12:15pm,

 

TA: Clark Pennie (cpennie@math.utexas.edu ),

TA Office hours and informal discussion section:  TBA  

 

Required text:

Textbook: Applied Partial Differential Equations with Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems (5th Edition) (Featured Titles for Partial Differential Equations) by Richard Haberman (4th edition works as well)

Complementary textbook: Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers  (Dover Books on Mathematics) by Stanley J. Farlow

Course webpage: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/gamba/F17/F17-m348.html

Description

Syllabus: Partial differential equations arise as basic models of flows, diffusion, dispersion and vibrations. Topics include first and second order partial differential equations and classification, particularly the wave, diffusion, and potential equations, their origins in applications and properties of solutions, characteristics, maximum principles, self-adjoint operators, eigenvalue problems, Fourier and general eigenfunction expansion methods, Green's functions and fundamental solutions.

We will attempt to cover issues from most of the first 12 chapters, with some sections skipped. Some material will be covered from the complementary textbook.  

Use of Matlab or Mathematica may be required or encourage on some assignments.

Prerequisites:

M427K, with a grade of at least C. One of (linear algebra courses) M311K or M340C or M341 or M346  and/or M361K or M365C is also recommended. 

 

Quantitative Reasoning flag course:

This course carries the Quantitative Reasoning flag. Quantitative Reasoning courses are designed to equip you with skills that are necessary for understanding the types of quantitative arguments you will regularly encounter in your adult and professional life. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your use of quantitative skills to analyze real-world problems.

Policies

Homeworks: Homework sets will be assigned weekly or biweekly throughout the semester. It is acceptable for students to help each other with the homework sets; however, each student must write up and submit their own work. Computers can be found in the Undergraduate Computer Lab, RLM 7.122.

Exams: There will be three midterm exams. The tentative dates are

Midterm Exam 1:  Thursday October 19th - in class test.

Midterm Exam 2:  Thursday December 7th -  in class test.

Final Exam: Friday, December 15, 9:00-12:00 noon

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Course grading policy

Your highest possible cumulative grade from the midterms and homework is 300 pts.

100 points Homework
200 points Midterms (2)
200 points Final (Comprehensive)

If your cumulative grade from the midterms and homework is below 170 pts, you must take the final exam.

Above 170 points you may wish to take the final, depending on your grade:

above 245 A grade
from 235-244 A-  grade
from 225-235 B+  grade
from 200-225 B   grade
from 190-199 B-  grade
from 180-190 C+  grade
from 170-180 C   grade

The final exam score will be added up to your accumulated grade from the midterms and homework. In this case the grade distribution is

above 375         A   grade
from 365-374    A-  grade
from 355-364    B+  grade
from 315-364    B   grade
from 305-314    B-  grade
from 295-304    C+  grade
from 265-294    C   grade
from 255-264    C-  grade
from 245-254    D+  grade
from 225-244    D   grade
below 225         F   grade

 

 

In the computation of the homework average, one homework grade (lowest) will be dropped.

Exam policy: Books are not permitted during midterms. A valid photo ID must be available to be checked at all exams. Make-up exams will not be given so please remember the appropriate exam dates. Exceptions will be considered under extraordinary circumstances ONLY. This includes illness or observance of a religious holiday (with 2 weeks advance notice). Proper documentation (such as a doctor's note) is required in all cases.

 

Honor code: The core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness and respect toward

                         Please, make sure that cell phones are turned off.

Students with disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.