G1AGMA -- General Mathematics A

Lecture notes and other supporting materials from a module given by me for the Mathematics Department of Nottingham University in 2002 and other years. Supplied as is, with no warranty as to their continued correctness! Use as you see fit, but please achnowledge this site if you publish or publicise this material.

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General Information:

This is a 10-credit level A module given in the Autumn semester. It is intended primarily for physical scientists, though other interested and qualified students are welcome to attend. There is no restriction on numbers, and the module is available to JYA or Erasmus students. It is available to all years, but would normally be taken in the first or second year. The module is not available to students reading Single or Joint Honours Mathematics or Mathematical Physics.

You will be assumed to have a basic mathematical education, such as is confirmed by a pass grade in A-Level Mathematics, or AS-Level Pure Mathematics, or the equivalent.

There will be two lectures and one workshop or examples class per week. Assessment will mainly be by a two-hour written examination [85%]. In addition, there will be four sets of coursework, between them counting 15% towards the final assessment.

Content:

The major topics covered include: complex numbers; vector algebra; and calculus of one or several variables. Further detail will be given as the module progresses.

Reading:

I am not lecturing directly from any particular set book. But there is a wide choice of good books; the following are commended:

• G. Stephenson, Mathematical Methods for Science Students, 2nd ed, Longman. Covers the material of both this module and its companion next semester, G1AGMB.
• A. C. Bajpai, I. M. Calus and J. A. Fairley, Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists, vol 1, Wiley.
• J. L. Smyrl, Introduction to University Mathematics, Hodder and Stoughton. Sets an appropriate level for most students, and also covers most of G1AGMB.
• M. L. Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, Wiley. More advanced.
• J. S. R. Chisholm and R. M. Morris, Mathematical Methods in Physics, North Holland. Also more advanced, similar to Smyrl.

The George Green Library has a large number of books on mathematics for physicists and others; see for example classes QA37.7, QA808 and QH281. Please explore and find texts with an approach that suits you. None of the maths we cover in this module has changed much at this level in recent years, so old texts are still relevant and OK if you like the style.

Aims, objectives, transferable skills:

Aims: The module aims to provide students with: a good understanding of the basics of complex numbers, vectors and calculus, and a suitable repertoire of techniques for solving problems of practical importance in these areas

Objectives: Successful students will have gained insight into the above areas of study and will have gained practical knowledge of how to apply the techniques and methods to specific problems.

Transferable skills: Problem solving.

Lectures:

Lectures are Monday 12 noon in room B1 of the Mathematics and Physics Building and Thursday 5pm also in B1. In the following table, the links will take you to the OHP slides for that lecture. [Not all slides are visible at the start of the module!]

During the `revision week', I shall keep `office hours' at the lecture times for otherwise unscheduled consultations with students. You are, of course, welcome to see me at any other time, whether or not by appointment, but at random times you take pot luck as to whether I am available and in my office, C302. See the `availability' notice on my notice-board for better information. You can also send me e-mail.

Workshops and examples classes:

These will take place on Tuesdays in C27 at 11am or 12 noon or on Wednesdays in C29 at 9am, starting October 9th/10th. If possible, you should attend Tuesday 11 if your last name begins A to G, Tuesday 12 if H to O, Wednesday 9 if P to Z; but you may attend one of the others if timetabling makes the preferred choice impossible. They will alternate between examples classes [problems solved `on the board' by a member of staff with audience help and participation] and problems classes [problems solved on an individual or small-group basis by you, with staff and postgraduates helping]. Problems will be handed out in the Monday lecture, and you should, of course, look at them and think about the solution before attending the examples/problems class. A register will be taken.

In the following table, the links will [after the due date!] take you to the OHP slides for that examples/problems class.

Coursework:

There will be four sets of coursework. Your work will be marked by postgraduates and returned to you.

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