HG1MPA -- Mathematics for Physics and Astronomy

Lecture notes and other supporting materials from a module given by me for the Mathematics Department of Nottingham University in 2003-07. 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.

Module convenor: Dr J. W. Barrett.

Lecturer [Autumn Semester]: Dr A. N. Walker.

Quick links:

• general
• content
• lectures
• problem/examples classes
• assessment

General Information:

This is a 20-credit level 1 module given in both semesters. It is intended primarily for students of the School of Physics and Astronomy, 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 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 grade C in A-Level Mathematics.

There will be two lectures and one workshop or examples class per week. Assessment will comprise a two-and-a-half-hour written examination [60%] at the end of the module, two class tests taken during the module [12% each] and four sets of coursework, each counting 4% towards the final assessment. You will be given much more information about these as they draw near.

Content:

The major topics covered include: [Autumn -- Dr Walker] vector algebra; complex numbers; calculus of a single variable; [Spring -- Dr Barrett] differential equations; calculus of several variables and matrix algebra. Further detail will be given as the module progresses.

Reading:

We are 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.
• 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.
• 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, learning outcomes, transferable skills:

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

Learning outcomes: 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. There is a more formal list of learning outcomes in the module description in the Catalogue of Modules.

Transferable skills: Problem solving.

Lectures:

Lectures are at Monday 12 noon in room C5 of the Mathematics and Physics Building, Thursday 9am in room A14 of the Pope Building [Autumn semester, moving to room C12 of the Mathematics and Physics Building for the Spring semester]. In the following table, the links will take you to the OHP slides for that lecture. If they don't, it is most likely to be a security issue on your computer. [Lecture contents are at best approximate; the following table is for Autumn only. Dr Barrett will provide the detailed information for Spring.

If you wish to see me, then immediately after a lecture is usually a good time; otherwise 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, M&P Building]. See the `availability' notice on my notice-board for better information. You can also send me e-mail.

Problem and examples classes:

For the Autumn semester, these will take place at 1pm [sorry, but not my doing!] on Thursdays in room B23 in the Maths and Physics Building [but not on the first Thursday of term]. [For the Spring semester, they move to Monday 11am, immediately before the lecture, and to A13 Pope.] The sessions 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 advance, and you should, of course, look at them and think about the solutions before attending the examples/problems class. A register will be taken. Solutions will be made available after the classes.

In addition, the School runs a Service Teaching Clinic Class each Tuesday at 5pm in room C28 of the Coates Building, and each Thursday at 5pm in room C13 of the Coates Building, starting on October 9th. If you are having difficulties with this module, then you may attend and discuss your problems with the helpers. Use of this service is, of course, entirely optional.

Assessment:

There will be four sets of assessed coursework. Your work will be marked by postgraduates and returned to you. The two sets for the Autumn semester will be set during the lectures on October 25th and November 22nd, to be handed in a week later, on November 1st and November 29th; again, details for the Spring semester will be announced in due course. Coursework should be posted in the boxes at the coursework collection points [near the top of the main stairs in the M&P building, or near room B2, Pope]. You need to complete a cover sheet; supplies and detailed instructions at the collection points. Further details will be supplied with the coursework. This work is compulsory, and if it is not done in time [without `good cause'] you will lose marks off your final grade for this module. If there is any reason why you cannot meet the deadlines, you should discuss it with me or with your personal tutor as soon as possible.

In addition, there will be a `practice' [optional] coursework set on October 11th to be returned on October 18th; this will not count for anything, but will give you some idea of how your work will be marked.

During the final weeks of the Autumn and Spring terms [not semesters, i.e. just before the Christmas and Easter holidays], you will be set class tests. These will last for one hour and will take place during scheduled lecture slots. The Christmas one will be during the scheduled lecture slot on December 10th. They will consist of multiple-choice questions. You will be given a practice paper to familiarise yourselves with the format and style.

There will be an exam sat during the normal Spring exam period. You will be given a `practice' exam well in advance. There are old papers to be found on the past exam papers link on the University's student web pages; however, this module has changed code twice recently, so you need to specify code HGAMPA for the 2004-05 papers and G1AGMA or G1AGMB for earlier papers. Note that the earlier papers were set for two 10-credit modules, and so the numbers and order of questions differed, but the syllabus was almost the same as more recently.

Re-assessment for this module, if needed, will consist only of an examination.

top of page