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2020/2021

Equations in Partial Derivatives

Code: 104401 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2503740 Computational Mathematics and Data Analytics OB 3 1
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Silvia Cuadrado Gavilán
Email:
Silvia.Cuadrado@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Teachers

Carles Barril Basil

Prerequisites

It is convenient that the student has already passed the subjects Ordinary differential equacions and Calculus in more than one variable

Objectives and Contextualisation

Partial differential equations are a fundamental tool in deterministic modeling of problems in physics, engineering, biology, medicine or finance, among others. The objective of the course is a first introduction to these equations both from an analytical and numerical point of view. We will start with the first order equations by first studying the most basic aspects of the characteristics method for quasi-linear equations. Some of the applications of these models, such as the traffic equation, will be used to visualize the difficulties of modeling and the appearance of weak solutions. Later, the "typical" second order linear equations of mathematical physics will be studied: wave, heat and Laplace. As with ordinary differential equations, in very few cases there are closed formulas available for solving partial differential equations, which is why numerical methods are required to approximate the solutions. In this course, the finite difference method will be introduced as a numerical approximation of the solutions of some of the equations studied.

Competences

  • Calculate and reproduce certain mathematical routines and processes with ease.
  • Design, develop and evaluate efficient algorithmic solutions to computational problems in accordance with the established requirements.
  • Formulate hypotheses and think up strategies to confirm or refute them.
  • Relate new mathematical objects with other known objects and deduce their properties.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Contrast, if possible, the use of calculation with the use of abstraction in solving a problem.
  2. Describe the concepts and mathematical objects pertaining to the subject.
  3. Develop demonstrations of the mathematical results from numerical calculation and the numerical integration of EDP.
  4. Evaluate and analyse the complexity of computational algorithmic solutions in order to develop and implement that which guarantees best performance.
  5. Numerically integrate ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations.
  6. Programme mathematical-calculation algorithms.
  7. Verify and ensure the correct operation of an algorithmic solution in accordance with the requirements of the problem to be resolved.

Content

 1. Introduction and first definitions.


2. First order partial differential equations.
Linear and quasilinear PDEs with two variables. The transport equation. Characteristics Method. Application to structured population dynamics.
Conservation laws.  Bürgers equation and traffic equation. Rarefaction waves, weak solutions and shocks. Entropy conditions.
Finite difference method for hyperbolic equations.


Topic 3. The wave equation.
Vibrating string equation. D'Alembert's formula. Domain of dependence and domain of influence.
The vibrating membrane. Linear waves in electromagnetism. Explicit formulas of the solution in dimensions 2 and 3.



Topic 4. The heat equation.
The heat equation. Linear diffusion. Existence of solution for Cauchy's problem: Poisson's formula.
The maximum principle: uniqueness of solution.
Finite differences for the heat equation.

Item 5. The potential equation.
Harmonic functions. The Dirichlet and Neumann problems. Green functions.

Methodology

This course consists of two hours of theory class per week. In addition, 10 hours of seminar will be held where students will solve exercises proposed by the teacher. There will be 12 hours of practical classes that will be devoted mainly to the approximate calculation of solutions of partial differential equations. All the material and all the necessary information for the development of the subject will be provided in the Virtual Campus.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Theory lessons 30 1.2 1, 2, 3
Type: Supervised      
Practical classes 12 0.48 6, 7
Seminars 12 0.48 4, 3, 5
Type: Autonomous      
Problem solving and practices 40 1.6 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Study 50 2 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Assessment

The following evaluation activities will be carried out:

Partial exam (EP). Exam with theoretical questions and problems similar to those worked on during the course.
Final Exam (EF). Exam of the whole subject with theoretical questions and problems similar to those worked on during the course.
Practice mark (PR). It will be evaluated from the project (program) and the corresponding report.

In addition, students will be able to take a recovery exam (ER) with the same characteristics as the exam (EF). The practice mark will not be recoverable.
It is a requirement to pass the subject that max (0.35 * EP + 0.65 * EF, EF, ER)> = 3.5 and that PR> = 3.5.


The final grade for the course will be
0.65 * max (0.35 * EP + 0.65 * EF, EF, ER) + 0.35 PR
The honors will be awarded in the first evaluation in which the subject can be passed.

A student who has participated in assessment activities corresponding to less than 50% of the grade according to the established weight will be considered non-evaluable.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Final exam 40% 3 0.12 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7
Partial Exam 25% 3 0.12 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7
Practice Delivery 35% 0 0 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Bibliography

- Y. Pinchover and J. Rubinstein. An introduction to partial differential equations. 2005.

- I. Peral, Primer Curso de EDPs, Addison-Wesley/UAM, 1995.

- L. C. Evans, Partial Differential Equations, Graduate Studies in
  Mathematics 19, AMS, 1998.

- S. Salsa, Partial Differential  Equations in action: from modelling to theory, Springer, 2008.

- F. John, Partial Differential Equations, Springer-Verlag, 1980.

- W. A. Strauss, Partial Differential Equations: An Introduction,
  John Wiley \& Sons, 1992.

-  J. C. Strikwerda, Finite Difference Schemes and Partial
Differential Equations, SIAM 2004.

- R. Haberman. Mathematical Models: Mechanical Vibrations, Population
Dynamics, and Traffic Flow. 1998.