Basic Mathematical Methods for Physics

Code

PHYS1006

School

Physics and Astronomy

Level

1

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

This course will provide an introduction to the basic mathematical techniques required for first year Physics. Topics to be covered include: 

• Plane geometry  
• Calculus of a single variable  
• Complex numbers  
• Ordinary differential equations  
• Calculus of several variables including partial derivatives and surface and volume integrals  
• Matrix algebra and eigenvalues 

Target Students

Students in Year 1 single honours Physics, CMP and joint honours Physics and Philosophy.A-level Maths at grade A or B.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• From Newton to Einstein (PHYS1001)

Classes

This module is based on a series of lectures supplemented by problem classes.

Assessment

• 20% Coursework 1: Portfolio of Task Sheets
• 80% Exam 1 (2-hour): Exam

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• use and manipulate complex numbers.

• apply differentiation and integration methods to analyse functions of one real variable.

• use standard methods to solve first order ODEs and linear ODEs of higher order.

• solve eigenvalue problems of matrices.

• differentiate and integrate functions of two variables.

Conveners

• Professor Simon Dye