2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MATH3365 Mathematical Methods

15 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Sandro Azaele
Email: S.Azaele@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

MATH2375, or equivalent.

This module is mutually exclusive with

MATH5366M

Advanced Mathematical Methods

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to describe how precise approximations - ie ones in which the error is both understood and controllable - can be obtained using analytical (rather than numerical) techniques.

Objectives

To give an introduction to approximate methods of solution of ordinary and partial differential equations, and difference equations with a small parameter, since these represent the most important techniques for deriving analytical solutions when modelling real phenomena. Examples will be drawn from many areas of science and engineering.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be armed with numerous mathematical, rather than computational, techniques for solving a wide variety of initial-value and boundary-value problems that arise in the modelling of realistic phenomena in diverse scientific areas.

In particular, students will be able to solve frequently occurring small-parameter problems using a combination of asymptotic methods such as matching, multiple scales (in space and time), and series approximations.

Syllabus

The governing equations of mathematical models often involve features that make it impossible to obtain their exact solution, eg the occurrence of a complicated algebraic equation; the occurrence of a complicated integral; varying coefficients in a differential equation; an awkwardly shaped boundary; a non-linear term in a differential equation.

When a large or small parameter occurs in a mathematical model of a process there are various methods of constructing perturbation expansions for the solution of the governing equations.

Often the terms in the perturbation expansions are governed by simpler equations for which exact solution techniques are available. Even if exact solutions cannot be obtained, the numerical methods used to solve the perturbation equations approximately are often easier to construct than the numerical approximation for the original governing equations.

Moreover, analytic perturbation approximations often constitute a powerful validation of any numerical model that might be employed.

Topics include:
- Asymptotic approximations
- Algebraic equations
- Integrals
- Regular perturbations in PDEs
- Boundary layers
- Matched asymptotic expansions
- Strained co-ordinates
- Multiple scales
- Accelerated convergence
- Asymptotic expansion of integrals
- Approximate solution of difference equations.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	33	1.00	33.00
Private study hours			117.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Consolidation of course notes and background reading.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Weekly personal contact with lecturer in examples classes to discuss/provide assistance with regular question sheets.

Assessment of success on examples sheets.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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