University of California, Davis
Department of Chemical Engineering and
Materials Science

ECH 259: Applied Mathematics
(CRN# 38994)

Fall Quarter 2004

MWR (11:00-11:50 AM) Room: Bainer 1134
R (3:10-4:00 PM) Room: Pysics/Geo 140

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Instructors: Brian G. Higgins
Office : Bainer 3012
Office Hours: T&F 1-2:00 pm
Phone: 752-8780
e-mail: bghiggins@ucdavis.edu



Course Overview

ECH259: Advanced Engineering Mathematics will be devoted to the study of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE) with relevance to chemical engineering; examples will be drawn from various branches of engineering science. The first part of the course will cover several methods that are useful for finding analytical solutions for linear systems: separation of variables, Laplace/Fourier Transforms. This will be the basis for developing concepts and techniques for describing nonlinear systems. The course will make extensive use of the software package "Mathematica". Finite difference techniques and continuation methods will be used to study the solution space for nonlinear PDEs. The prerequisites for Advanced Engineering Mathematics are: Mathematics 22B, 21C, 22A, 22D. If you do not meet the prerequisites, or are unsure if you do, please contact me bghiggins@ucdavis.edu.

The text for the course is Elementary Applied Partial differential Equations (fourth edition), by Richard Haberman. It is available in the UCD Bookstore. You may also order it through an online bookstore such as Amazon Books. From time to time I will be posting selected lecture notes and reading material on the Web. Please use the following link to access these notes: ECH 259 Class Notes.

In addition to the ECH 259 lectures, I will be offering a 2 unit course ECH 198: Introduction to Mathematica, for students interested in learning more about how to use Mathematica to solve engineering problems. The class for this course will meet on Tuesday 10:00-12:00 Noon in Academic Surge 1116. The CRN# is 68725 and it will graded as P/NP. Attendance in ECH 198 is optional, but is strongly encouraged.

The following Concepts & Skills will be emphasized in ECH 259
    CONCEPTS
  1. Homogeneous versus inhomogeneous differential equations
  2. Homogeneous solutions and particular solutions of ODEs
  3. Derivation of PDEs from conservation principles.
  4. General solution of linear PDEs (heat equation, Laplace equation)
  5. Fourier series and Sturm Lioville theory
  6. Orthogonal functions,eigenvalues & eigenvectors
  7. Dynamical systems, concept of bifurcation, linear stability
  8. Stable and unstable manifolds; Hartman-Grobman theorem; portrait of equilibrium points
  9. Reaction diffusion equations, spatial patterns, multiple solutions, and bifurcation
    SKILLS
  1. Solution of first order and second order ODEs.
  2. Separation of variables 1-D and 2-D transient heat conduction equation (various coordinate systems).
  3. Separation of Variables Laplace equation (various coordinate systems).
  4. Analysis of dynamical systems
  5. Analysis of reaction diffusion systems

The text for the course is : Elementary Applied Partial differential Equations (fourth edition), by Richard Haberman

Course Grade

The overall letter grade for the course will be determined as follows: One midterm 30% , final exam 50%, and Homework 20%.
The final examination will take place on

Saturday, December 18, from 1:30-3:30PM in Bainer 1134.

Plan now to take this examination at the scheduled time. Please note that this time and place has been designated by the Registrar. For further details on exam policy, please link to Registar: Final Exams.
The time for the Mid-Term is:

Mid-Term #1: Monday November 15 (11:00-11:50 AM)


Special Needs

If you have a disability that impacts on your learning, I encourage you to talk with me about it on a confidential basis so that we might collectively devise a strategy to overcome whatever barriers might exist.

Class Assistants

No TA has been assigned for this course.