MAT 401 - SERIES AND BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS

This course is a continuation of the Differential Equations course(MAT 330), where mostly initial values have been studied. While in an inital problem the solution must satisfy a differential equation and some prescribed condition at the initial time, in a boundary value problem the solution satisfies the differential equation and conditions at the boundary of the interval (region), where it is defined. For example, heat conduction in a wall, with prescribed temperatureson both surfaces of the wall, is a boundary value problem. So is vibration of a guitar string. Techniques for solving boundary value problems involve infinite series and Fourier transforms.

PREREQUISITES: Differential Equations (MAT330 or equivalent).


Spring 2004: Zora Thomova


Spring 2005: Edmond Rusjan


Next time offerred: Fall 2005.