Spring 2003
MAT 451 Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
MWF 1:10-2:00 Boardman Hall Room 115

Instructors: Dr. Sharon Crook & Dr. William Bray
Dr. Crook's office hours are MT 10-11 and by appointment.
Office: 323 Neville Hall, 581-3919, Sharon.Crook@umit.maine.edu
Dr. Bray's office hours are MWF 9-10, W 2-3 and by appointment.
Office: 220 Neville Hall, 581-3932, bray@math.umaine.edu

Prerequisites: MAT 259 or the permission of the instructor
Text: Steven Strogatz, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos with Applications to Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering, Perseus Books,1994.

Description:
This course is designed for students of mathematics and the sciences. We will study the nature and behavior of solutions of linear and nonlinear systems of differential equations. All concepts will be explored using theoretical mathematical analysis and reinforced through the use of applications and computer software.
Topics covered will include the following:
One-dimensional flows:
existence, uniqueness, fixed points, stability analysis, bifurcations, and oscillators
Two-dimensional flows: linear systems, the phase plane, fixed points and linearization, limit cycles, Poincare-Bendixson theorem, relaxation oscillators, weakly nonlinear oscillators, and bifurcations
Chaos: Lorenz equations, fixed points, the logistic map, fractals, and strange attractors
Applications will come from various areas of physics, biology, chemistry and engineering including population dynamics, biophysics, chemical reactions, circuit physics, pattern formation, biochemistry and many more.

Grading: Tests: 50%
                Projects: 30%
                Final Exam: 20%
Policy:
Attendance is required and no make-up work is allowed without the prior approval of the instructor and an official University or Doctor's excuse.

Tentative Syllabus 

WED 1/22 Class Introduction, 2.0, 2.1
Read Chapter 1 and 2.1
FRI 1/24 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
2.2:1,5,7,8,13   2.3:1,3   2.4:1,3,7,8
MON 1/27 2.5, 2.6, 2.8
2.5:3,4,6  2.6:1,2   2.8:6,7
WED 1/29 3.0, 3.1
3.1:1,3,5
FRI 1/31 Problems and 3.2
3.2:1,2,3,4 & 6 (optional)
MON 2/3 3.4, parts of 3.7
3.4: 1-10 (suggested) ,14   Project 1 assigned
WED 2/5 4.0, 4.1, 4.2
4.1:1,2,4,6,9(2.6.2) 4.2: 1,3
FRI 2/7 4.3
4.3:3,5,7,9,10
MON 2/10 Problems from Chapter 3

WED
2/12
Chapter 5
5.1:3-6  5.2:1,2,3-9
FRI
2/14 Discussion of Matrix Solutions

MON 2/17 Review and 6.0, 6.1, 6.2
Study for Exam
WED
2/19 Exam 1

FRI 2/21 6.3, 6.4
6.1:1,3,5,8,9,10,11  6.2:1  6.3:1,3,5,7,13 ,16
MON 2/24 Topics from 6.5,6.6
6.5:1,2 either 6,15,16,17 or 19  6.6:1,3,4
WED 2/26 6.8
6.8:2,4,6,7,8
FRI 2/28 7.0,7.1,7.2
Project 2 Assigned  7.1:1,3,5,8  7.2:1,2,4,6,10,12
MON 3/3 7.3
7.3:1,2,3,6,8
WED 3/5 7.5
7.5:1,3,6,7
FRI 3/7 7.6
7.6:14,18
MON 3/10 Spring Break

MON 3/24 Presentations

WED 3/26 Presentations

FRI 3/28 Exam 2

MON 3/31 8.0,8.1

WED 4/2 8.2

FRI 4/4 8.3

MON 4/7 8.4

WED 4/9 8.5

FRI 4/11 8.6

MON 4/14 8.7

WED 4/16 Problem Day

FRI 4/18 9.0,9.1(read),9.2

MON 4/21 9.3,9.4

WED 4/23 9.5

FRI 4/25 10.1-10.3

MON 4/28 10.3-10.4/10.5

WED 4/30 Problem Day

FRI 5/2 Exam 3

MON 5/5 Problems and Review

WED 5/7 Problems and Review

FRI 5/9 Problems and Review

MON 5/12
Final Exam Week