Course Objectives: The course continues Math3C03: Mathematical Physics I. The material covers methods of mathematical physics, with emphasis on integral calculus in functions of complex variables, probability functions and variational problems. Blackboard, overhead, and laptop are used in lectures, for better visualization of analysis and examples. Tutorials and assignments include analytical problems of different levels. The course material is supplemented by the online course notes on recipes of mathematical physics.
Topics: functions of complex variable (6 weeks), probability and statistics (4 weeks), calculus of variations (2 weeks).
Instructor:
Dr. Dmitry Pelinovsky, HH-422, ext.23424,
e-mail: dmpeli@math.mcmaster.ca
Teaching Assistant:
Marina Chugunova, HH-403, ext. 24411, e-mail: chugunom@math.mcmaster.ca
Hours:
Lectures: Monday, Thursday (9:30-10:20); Tuesday (10:30-11:20); HH-302
Tutorial: Wednesday (14:30-15:20), HH-109
Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday (11:30-12:30)
Main textbook:
"Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers"
by D.A. McQuarrie (University Science Books, 2003)
Previous year textbooks:
"Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering"
by K.F. Riley, M.P. Hobson, and S.J. Bence (Cambridge University Press, 2002)
"Mathematical Methods for Physicists"
by G.B. Arfken and H.J. Weber (Academic Press, 2001)
Short version textbooks:
"Mathematical for Physicists"
by S.M. Lea (Thomson, Brooke/Cole, 2004)
"Mathematical Physics"
by B. Kusse and E. Westwig (John Wiley & Sons, 1998)
"Mathematical Methods of Physics"
by J. Mathews and R.L. Walker (Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1970)
Assignments: Six home assignments will be handed out in class on Monday every second week, starting the week of January 10, 2005. The assignments are due at 11:20 on Tuesday in the following week. Only five best assignments are counted towards the final mark. The texts for assignments, solutions and results will be posted on the course webpage.
Class Test: There will be two class tests on Thursdays: February 10 and March 10. Only the McMaster standard calculator Casio fx-991 is allowed on the tests.
Final Exam: The course is completed by a three-hour final examination. The date and location of the final exam will be announced by the registrar's office in mid-term.
Marking scheme:
Final exam (3 hrs) - 50%
Two class tests (50 min) - 30%
Five homework assignments - 20%
Senate Policy Statement: The course is regulated under the following documents: Statement on Academic Ethics and Senate Resolutions on Academic Dishonesty. Any student who infringes one of these resolutions will be treated according to the published policy. In particular, academic dishonesty includes (1) plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one's own, (2) improper collaboration in group work on home assignments, (3) copying or using unauthorized aids tests and examinations. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty, refering to Academic Integrity Policy.