Math 553 Syllabus

This is a Qualifying Eligible (QE) course for the Math PhD with regular, graded HW and a comprehensive final exam.

Prerequisites

An introductory course on differential equations (the equivalent of 353 or 356) and basic background in multi-variable calculus (line integrals or contour integrals from complex variables).

Syllabus

  1. Introduction: Asymptotic approximations of functions. Perturbation parameters, limits, and asymptotic order relations. Asymptotic series expansions: Taylor, Laurent, Frobenius, General Asymptotic Perturbation methods for solving algebraic equations. Solution of perturbed matrix eigenvalue problems. Regular and Singular perturbation problems.
  2. Asymptotics for integrals: Elementary methods. Watson's lemma for Laplace-type integrals. Stationary phase for Fourier-type integrals. Steepest descent and saddle points in the complex plane.
  3. Asymptotics for Ordinary Differential Equations I: Local expansions of solutions: regular and irregular singular points. Irregular singular points at infinity. The WKBJ method.
  4. Asymptotics for Ordinary Differential Equations II: Matched asymptotic expansions. Singular perturbations: boundary layers. The method of multiple scales: nonlinear oscillators.

References

  • Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers by C. M. Bender, S. A. Orszag
  • Applied Asymptotic Analysis by P. D. Miller