Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
For Series solution of Second-order Ordinary Differential Equations, students should be able
to:
• Solve second-order ordinary differential equations (ODE) using Frobenius method
• Evaluate singular point of ODE; Define and solve the corresponding indicial equation
• Obtain the range of convergence by applying the D’Alembert test
Methodology:
This course is delivered via approximately 30 hours of lectures, supplemented by 8 hours of
problem solving tutorial (PSTs), and additional discussion. There is a revision lecture in
Term 3.
Feedback and Assessment:
Final assessment is by 2 In-Course-Assessments (ICAs) taken as coursework during the
term (10%), and a final written examination (90%).
Feedback will be provided through Moodle resources including model solutions to homework
problems, discussion during PSTs and in class, and through return of ICAs.
Students are requested to complete an anonymous course evaluation in the second half of
term. These evaluation results and any other issues raised will be discussed at the
Departmental Teaching Committee (DTC) and Staff Student Consultative Committee
(SSCC).
Textbooks
A book which covers most of this and the first-year PHAS0002 and PHAS0009 mathematics
courses is Mathematical Method for Physics & Engineering, Riley, Hobson & Bence – C.U.P.
This book will also be of use in the MATH6202 option given in the second semester. From a
more advanced standpoint Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, by Mary Boas
(Wiley) is recommended.
Syllabus
(The approximate allocation of lectures to topics is shown in brackets below)
Partial Differential Equations [5 hrs]
Superposition principle for linear homogeneous partial differential equations; Separation of
variables in Cartesian coordinates; Boundary conditions; One-dimensional wave equation;
Derivation of Laplace's equation in spherical polar coordinates; Separation of variables in
spherical polar coordinates; the Legendre differential equation; Solutions of degree zero.