MAT5932-004 Methods of Mathematical Physics
Department of Mathematics, University
of South Florida
FALL 2004
TR 3:30pm-4:45pm PHY109
Instructor:
- Dr. Wen-Xiu Ma, Office: PHY310, Phone: 974-9563.
Office Hours and Location:
- TR2:00-3:00pm (tentative) or by appointment, PHY310.
Course Objectives:
-
After completing this course, students will be able to apply the
fundamental techniques of mathematical physics to perform analysis
and computation of various mathematical problems and physical
processes, especially involving differential equations.
Prerequisites:
-
MAC2283 Engineering Calculus III or MAC2313 Calculus III,
MAP2302 Differential Equation, MAS3105 Linear Algebra or equivalent.
Course Texts:
- -
Tai L. Chow, Mathematical Methods for
Physicists: A Concise Introduction, Cambridge University Press,
2000
- - P. G. Drazin and R. S. Johnson, Solitons: an
Introduction, Cambridge University Press, 1989
- - Some topics will be added, some will be embellished,
and some deleted. Notes or tapes of class lectures are not
permitted for purposes of sale.
Homework Assignments:
- - There will be four homework assignments for the course. All designed
exercises will help you to develop your skills and your ability to apply the
techniques you have learned to concrete situations.
- - You are required to do all homework exercises. Doing exercises is the
best way to deepen your understanding of the topics and to convince yourself
that you understand them.
- - Homework assigned in
Week 3 and Week 8 will be collected for
grading, on September 14 - Tuesday, Week 4 and October 19 -
Tuesday, Week 9 (tentative), respectively.
Examinations:
- The examinations will be at
equally spaced time intervals during the semester. They are
tentatively scheduled for the following dates:
- September
21 - Test 1 (Tuesday, Week 5),
- October 26 - Test 2
(Tuesday, Week 10),
-
December 7 - Final Exam (3:30pm-5:30pm,
Tuesday, Final Exam Week).
-
The contents covered by the exams will be announced in class. The final
exam will be comprehensive.
Grading Policy:
- - Each of the three exams counts for 30%. Homework counts for 10% plus
5% as bonus points. Your final score will be computed by these weights, the
maximum being 105.
- - A plus/minus grading system will be used for the course. Course letter
grades will be decided based on final scores as follows:
90 for A-, 80 for B-, 70 for C-, 50 for D-, 0-49 for F,and
other letter grades will be assigned accordingly.
Attendance:
- - Attendance at classes will not be taken. But regular and punctual
attendance is important, since the material of the text will be embellished
and augmented.
- - Attendance at examinations is mandatory. No make-up exam will be given
except in the most extenuating of circumstances. If you are sick, a note
signed by the physician indicating that you were physically unable to attend
class is necessary in order to postpone the exam. A receipt from the infirmary
is not a valid excuse. Any sort of excuse must be documented in some manner
(prayer cards, tow truck receipts, subpoenas, etc.). You must contact the
instructor prior to the exam if circumstances warrant that you cannot attend.
Major Religious Observance:
- No student shall be compelled to attend class or sit for an examination at
a day or time prohibited by his/her religious belief. In accordance with the
University policy on observance of religious holidays, students are expected
to notify the instructor during the first week of class if they anticipate the
necessity of being absent from a class or announced examination due to the
observation of a major religious observance.
Blackboard Website:
- The Blackboard course web site can be entered via the university web single sign-on portal at myUSF Online.
Course related information and announcements will be available
on the Blackboard course web site.
Links to Related Websites:
If you have questions or suggestions,
please leave your messages at mawx@math.usf.edu