MATH 4/5733 Partial Differential Equations (Fall 2011)

Mon. and Wed. 5:00-6:15pm; CU 656

Lynn S. Bennethum

Office: CU 638, Phone  (303) 556-4810

Office hours: Mon. and  Wed. 3:45-4:45pm in CU 638, or by appointment.

e-mail: lynn.bennethum@ ucdenver.edu

home page: http://www-math.cudenver.edu/~bennethm

fax: (303)556-8550  Be sure to put my name on the cover sheet.

home phone: (303) 683-6983 (Please call after 9am and before 9:30pm - I work at home about half of the Fridays).

This course is a slash-listed course - taught as a senior undergraduate course and a first-year graduate course and is a first course in partial differential equations (PDEs).   Topics will include some association between the physics and the equations, some theory as to the existence, uniqueness, and behavior of solutions, and solution techniques.  Undergraduates will be expected to understand primarily how to solve equations, and in addition, graduate students will be expected to understand more of the theory behind PDEs.

 Textbooks: Introduction to Partial Differenctial Equations with Applications by E. C. Zachmanoglou and D. W. Thoe, 1986, Dover:  This book is a good book from the mathematical point of view - it is a good overview of the overall mathematical framework, i.e. looking at a pde, what can one say about the solution?  Does it exist?  Is it unique?  What properties does the solution have?  However it is not strong at emphasizing solution techniques.  Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers by Stanley J. Farlow, 1993, Dover:  is very good at summarizing solution techniques.

 

 Prerequisite: Ordinary Differential Equations (MATH 3200).  For students taking the course at the graduate level:  Advanced Calculus (MATH 4320) or Graduate standing is also recommended.   Generally what students have the most difficulty with is recalling material from third semester calculus (MATH 2421).   Some review is presented in the course.

 

Grading:  Homework, midterms, and the final will be weighted as follows:

Homework                        100 pts

2 Midterms (100 pts each) 200 pts

Final Exam                        150 pts

The weight of your lowest grade will be dropped by 50 pts (i.e. if your worst score is a midterm score, it will be worth half of the other midterm).   Thus the total number of points for the semester will be 400pts.

 

Homework: Homework is due every Wed. at the beginning of class. Late homework will be accepted but with a penalty of 1/3 the homework points for each class period late.

 

Midterms: Midterms will be in-class exams over the material covered in class.

Academic Integrity is Fully Expected: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense at the University because it diminishes the quality of scholarship and the learning experience for everyone on campus.  An act of Academic Dishonesty may lead to sanctions including a reduction in grade (up to and including a permanent F for the course), probation, suspension, or expulsion.  Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, submitting the same paper or work for more
than one class, and facilitating academic dishonesty.  For definitions and more information, see the CLAS website:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/CLAS/faculty-staff/policies/Pages/AcademicIntegrity.aspx

 

Topics:   As time allows, we will cover Chapters 1 through 9 from Zachmanoglou and Thoe supplemented by Farlow.

 

Other References:  

Partial Differential Equations of Mathematical Physics and Integral Equations by R. B. Guenther and J. W. Lee, 1988, Dover.  This book is good at relating the physics to the equations.

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