DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2022 - 2023

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

This module aims to ensure that students will have an understanding of the theory of the Calculus of Several Variables suitable for their studies in Physics. Where appropriate, theorems will be explained using arguments based on Physics rather than on formal mathematical proofs. Furthermore, it aims to develop students abilities to perform the calculations that arise in applications, especially in applications to Physics. Infinite dimensional vector spaces, in teh context of Fourier Series, will be considered also. Students will attend lectures on the course material and will work, independently, to solve problems on topics related to the course material. The students will have an opportunity to review their solutions, with guidance, at weekly tutorials.

Learning Outcomes

1. Reformulate concepts from physics in the language of vector calculus.
2. Perform the calculations that arise when the calculus of several variables is used to solve problems.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of concepts by use of examples or counterexamples.
4. State and apply selected definitions and theorems.
5. Calculate trigonometric Fourier Series of elementary functions defined on finite intervals and sketch the periodic extensions of such functions.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture42Students will attend lectures where new material will be presented and explained. Also attention will be drawn to various supporting material and tutorials as the course progresses.
Tutorial18Students will show their solutions to homework questions and will receive help with and feed-back on these solutions.
Independent Study129.5Corresponding to each lecture students will devote approximately 1.5 additional hour of independent study to the material discussed in that lecture or to work on support material when attention is drawn to such in lectures. Before each tutorial students will devote approximately three to solving homework problems which are to be discussed in that tutorial.
Total Workload: 189.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

VECTORS IN 3-SPACE
Vectors as directed line segments, their addition and scalar multiplication. Frames of reference and coordinates. The inner product, cross product and their applications.

FUNCTIONS OF ONE OR MORE VARIABLES
Parametrized curves. Level sets and their parametrizations.

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS
Limits, continuity, partial differentiation. The chain rule. The gradient, divergence, curl and their physical interpretations. Max/Min problems and Lagrange multipliers. Taylor's formula.

INTEGRAL CALCULUS
Line integrals, multiple integrals, surface integrals. The integral theorems. Change of variable formula for multiple integrals.

FOURIER SERIES
Function spaces. Orthogonal projections onto finite dimensional spaces. Calculation of Trigonometric Fourier Series, Bessel's inequality, Parseval's identity. Fourier Transforms.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
    Programme or List of Programmes
    Archives: