This course covers a variety of mathematical methods used in the sciences, focusing particularly on the solution of ordinary and partial differential equations. In addition to calling attention to certain special equations that arise frequently in the study of waves and diffusion, we develop general techniques such as looking for series solutions and, in the case of nonlinear equations, using phase portraits and linearizing around fixed points. We study numerical techniques applied not only to differential equations but also to ordinary integration and curve fitting, and we discuss the estimation of error in numerical calculations.
Evaluation is based on weekly homework, a midterm exam and a final exam.
Students may not normally get credit for both Mathematics 210 and Physics 210.