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Methods of Mathematical Physics (MAST30031)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: omar.foda@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on, and extends earlier, related undergraduate subjects with topics that are useful to applied mathematics, mathematical physics and physics students, as well as pure mathematics students interested in applied mathematics and mathematical physics. These topics include:
- Special functions: Spherical harmonics including Legendre polynomials and Bessel functions, including cylindrical, modified and spherical Bessel functions;
- Integral equations: Classification, Fourier and Laplace transform solutions, separable kernels, singular integral equations, Wiener-Hopf equations, and series solutions;
- Further vector analysis: Differential forms, and integrating p-forms;
- Further complex analysis: The Schwarz reflection principle, and Wiener-Hopf in complex variables.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should:
- Be familiar with the most important special functions of mathematical physics, including Legendre polynomials and Bessel functions, and how they arise in solving the Laplace equation in different coordinate systems using separation of variables.
- Learn how a physical problem formulated as a differential equation and a set of boundary conditions can be recast as an integral equation, and how that may offer a way to solve the problem that is not available in the original formulation.
- Be familiar with differential forms as tools that allow one to solve physical problems with maximal notational simplicity.
- Learn new, fundamental concepts that extend the basic concepts of a first subject in complex analysis to allow for the solution of more sophisticated physical problems.
Generic skills
In addition to skills that are useful in careers in science, engineering, commerce and education, students will develop useful generic skills that include:
- The problem-solving skills of identifying strategies to solve unfamiliar problems;
- The analytic skills of constructing and expressing logical arguments, and of working in abstract, general terms to clarify and improve available solutions;
- The time-management skills of meeting regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST30029 Partial Differential Equations (prior to 2014)
Plus:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST30021 | Complex Analysis |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST30021 Complex Analysis may be taken concurrently with MAST30031 Methods of Mathematical Physics
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Three written assignments of up to 60 pages due at regular intervals during the semester (30%); 3-hour written exam in the examination period (70%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Omar Foda Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 one-hour lectures (three per week); 12 one-hour practice classes (one per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Email: omar.foda@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Applied Mathematics Informal specialisation Applied Mathematics Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Major Mathematical Physics Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Applied Mathematics Major Applied Mathematics - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022