MATH185 (Winter, 2022)

MATH 18500: Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences III

Lectures: MWF 09:30 AM - 10:20 AM @ Eckhart Hall 133; During remote-only instructional period, Zoom link will be posted on Canvas Calendar .

Reference: Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, by Mary Boas (3rd edition). Lectures get inspired from Chap. 7 and Chap. 8 of this book. Copies can be found in the library or via Google.

Syllabus: syllabus.

Instructor: Zhongjian Wang (zhongjian at uchicago dot edu, urgent contact zhongjianwang25 at gmail dot com).

Grader: Peter Camporeale (pcamporeale at uchicago dot edu)

Office hours: Mon 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Jones Laboratory 308 . You are not required to attend any office hours, as information that affects generally will discuss during the following lecture. Extra hours may be available given urgent necessity. I might be in my office (309) when there is no one present at 308. To access Jones, you may walk inside Kent Chem Lab on ground floor westwards until a corridor to Jones.

Note:

Overview and prerequisites

This is the third in a sequence of mathematics courses for physical sciences majors. It covers differential equations: first and second order ODE, systems of ODE, damped oscillators and resonance, Fourier series and Fourier transforms, Laplace transforms, and solutions of the heat and wave equations.

In order to register for this course you must have taken Math 18300 or ((Math 15300 or 13300 or 16300 or 16310) and (Math 19620 or Math 20250 or Stat 24300))

Course Policies

Problem Sets

One problem set will be assigned at the start of each week, remind me if you cannot find it after Monday. It will be due at 11:59 pm on the Thursday of next week after it is assigned (unless otherwise specified). You can submit your solutions electronically through Canvas. Canvas is strict about deadlines, so finish early!

Extra practice problems can be found in the textbook. The best way to learn math is to solve lots of problems!

Exams

Two Midterms There will be two midterms on Friday of Fourth and Seventh week that covers materials up to end of Third and Sixth week.

Final Exam. It is the policy of the Department of Mathematics that the following rules apply to final exams in all undergraduate mathematics courses:

  • Synchronous final exams must occur at the time designated on the College Final Exam Schedule.

  • No final examinations may be given during the ninth week of the quarter, except in the case of graduating seniors.

  • Instructors are not permitted to excuse students from the scheduled time of the final exam except in the case of an Incomplete.

Incomplete grades will not be assigned except in very rare and extreme circumstances. Final exam covers all materials throught the course.

Grading

Your numerical grades will be calculated as follows:

Problems sets (15%) + Midterm I (25%) + Midterm II (25%) + Final (35%)

Academic Integrity

You are strongly encouraged to work together on problem sets, but you must list all of your collaborators on the top of your homework. Using the ideas of another student without proper acknowledgement constitutes plagiarism, according to the University’s academic integrity policy.

All exams must be completed on your own - collaboration is prohibited. In general, you must carefully read and follow all of the exam rules. Any student found to have cheated in any way on any exam will receive a failing grade in the course and will be reported to the Dean.

Accommodations

The University of Chicago is committed to ensuring equitable access to our academic programs and services. Students with disabilities who have been approved for the use of academic accommodations by Student Disability Services (SDS) and need a reasonable accommodation(s) to participate fully in this course should follow the procedures established by SDS for using accommodations. Timely notifications are required in order to ensure that your accommodations can be implemented. Please meet with me to discuss your access needs in this class after you have completed the SDS procedures for requesting accommodations:

Materials

Problem Sets

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8

Lecture Notes

Might be adapted at any time.

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9

Getting Help

Peer Tutoring

UChicago offers peer tutoring via the Core Tutoring Program. See more information here.

Sequence Course

Math 183-186 is a newly developed 4-course math sequence aiming for students majoring in Physics and Molecular Engineering, and Chemistry. For general questions on these courses (like enrollment, course requirement), you should contact Lucas Culler, whose email is luccul at uchicago dot edu .

Contact me

Please come during office hours, or email me for help if you are having difficulty in accessing any course materials.