FYS3140 – Mathematical Methods in Physics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course addresses a number of important mathematical methods often used in physics. Central topics are basic complex analysis, variational calculus,?differential equations, Fourier series and -transforms and Laplace transformations.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- have a good grasp of the basic elements of complex analysis, including the important integral theorems. You will be able to determine the residues of a complex function and use the residue theorem to compute certain types of integrals.
- are able to solve ordinary second order differential equations important in the physical sciences; solve physically relevant partial differential equations using standard methods like separation of variables, series expansion, and integral transforms.
- have learned how to expand a function in a Fourier series, and under what conditions such an expansion is valid. You will be aware of the connection between this and integral transforms (Fourier and Laplace). You will be able to apply integral transforms and series expansion methods to solve differential equations?relevant to the physical sciences.
- are able to apply variational calculus to find optimal curves and surfaces. You know how to use the variational calculus to find laws of motion.
- have received training in clear argumentation, reasoning and presentation, and how to present your results in a tidy way.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the?Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by?equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FYS4140 – Mathematical methods in physics (discontinued).
Teaching
This course lasts a full semester with 8 hours of teaching per week:
- 4 hours of lectures?
- 4 hours of problem-solving sessions
This course has 12 mandatory assignments, of which?at least 6 have to be approved before you can sit?the final exam.
Regulations for mandatory assignments can be found here.
Examination
- Midterm home exam which counts 25 % towards the final grade.
- Final written exam, 4 hours, which counts 75 % towards the final grade.
This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final?exam.
You must pass the final exam in order to receive a final?grade in the course.
When writing your exercises make sure to familiarize yourself with the?rules for use of sources and citations.?Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of?attempted cheating.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: FYS4140 – Mathematical methods in physics (discontinued)
Examination support material
- Approved calculator
- Rottman: "Matematisk formelsamling"
- ?grim and Lian or Angell and Lian: "Fysiske st?rrelser og enheter"
- Two A4 sheets with notes (you can write in both sides of the sheet)
Language of examination
Subjects taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a?postponed exam?at the beginning of the next semester.
New examinations?are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.
We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.