MATH/PHYS 4530 MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS
Fall 2011
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Robinson
email: srobinson@aug.edu
url: www.aug.edu/~srobinson
office: Allgood
Hall N318
phone: (706) 737-1672
office hours:
By appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to mathematical techniques used in advanced physics. Topics include Fourier series, special functions, integral transforms, boundary value problems, and partial differential equations.
PREREQUISITES: PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics II (grade of C or better) and MATH 3020 Differential Equations, or permission of instructor.
TEXT: Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, Third Edition, by Mary L. Boas, John Wiley & Sons, 2006, ISBN 0-471-19826-9.
GRADING: Your grade for the course will be based on three equal factors: homework assignments, a midterm exam, and a cumulative final exam. The midterm and final exam may contain both in-class and take-home portions. Your letter grade for the course will be assigned using a standard ten-point scale: 90% guarantees a grade of A, 80% a grade of B, etc.
HOMEWORK POLICY: You may work together on any assignment unless I specifically forbid it (for example, you must work alone on the mid-term and final exams). However, you should write up your solutions independently and include references as necessary since any work turned in to me will be assumed to reflect your own understanding. I will not accept late homework or give a make-up test except for acceptable and documented reasons.
WITHDRAWALS AND ATTENDANCE: If you wish to withdraw before midterm (October 11), you must take the responsibility for filling out the necessary forms. You will know the results of the midterm exam and at least two graded homework assignments (approximately one-half of your grade) by October 10. I will take attendance daily and reserve the right under University policy to issue a grade of “WF” after the midterm to students who miss more than five classes.
COURSE OUTLINE:
| Infinite Series and Complex Numbers | Chapters 1 & 2 | |
| Review of Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra | Lecture Notes, parts of Chapters 3 & 8 | |
| Fourier Series, Fourier and Laplace Transforms | Chapter 7, Chapter 8.8 - 8.13 | |
| Special Functions | Chapter 11 | |
| Legendre, Bessel, Hermite, and Laguerre Functions | Chapter 12 | |
| Partial Differential Equations | Chapter 13 | |
| Calculus of Variations | Chapter 9 |
NOTE: The final exam for this course is scheduled for Monday, December 5, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon.