course-details-portlet

FY3107 - Mathematical Approximation Methods in Physics

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 4 hours C

Course content

The course is given every second year, and is given autumn 2024. The aim of the course is to give an introduction to, and training of, useful methods of finding approximate solutions to physics problems, in particular situations where regular perturbation expansions cannot be used. Even in cases where a given problem must be treated numerically, approximative solutions may give valuable information of qualitative behaviour for choice and implementation of numerical method. The course covers e.g. local analysis of differential equations, approximate evaluation of integrals, asymptotic expansions, singular perturbation expansions, the boundary layer method, the WKB method, multiple scale expansions.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate should have knowledge about the most useful methods for finding approximate analytical solutions of mathematical problems which often occur when modeling physical systems.

Skills

The candidate should be able to

  • identify various classes of mathematical problems
  • simplify or rewrite the problem to a form which enables use of an appropriate method
  • apply the method to find an approximate analytical solution

General competence

The candidate should

  • know about relevant mathematical reference works and software
  • be able to use these to find/extract information efficiently

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and problem sessions. Some problems will make use of mathematical software. When lectures and lecture material are in English, the exam is usually given in English only. Expected workload in the course is 225 hours.

Further on evaluation

If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed to oral.

Course materials

Literature: C.M. Bender and S.A. Orszag: Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineeres, McGraw-Hill 1978.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
FY8304 7.5 AUTUMN 2018
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Physics
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Physics

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 100/100 C 2024-11-27 15:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL311 brun sone Sluppenvegen 14 17
SL515 Sluppenvegen 14 1
Summer UTS School exam 100/100 C INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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