General Information

A core mathematics course required for all physics majors, to be taken usually after MATH 1920, sometimes after MATH 2940.

Prerequisites

MATH 1920

Topics Covered

  • First order equations (separable, linear, homogeneous, exact)
  • Mathematical modeling (e.g., population growth, terminal velocity)
  • Qualitative methods (slope fields, phase plots, equilibria, and stability)
  • Numerical methods
  • Second-order equations (method of undetermined coefficients, application to oscillations and resonance, boundary-value problems and eigenvalues)
  • Fourier series
  • Partial differential equations (heat equation, wave equation, Laplace’s equation)

Workload

Depends on professor, but usually a typical workload for introductory engineering math class. Weekly textbook problem sets along with a quiz. 2 prelims and a final exam.

General Advice

Testimonials

Past Offerings

Semester Professor Median Grade Syllabus
Fall 2018 Alex Townsend N/A Course Page
Spring 2020 Alan Zehnder N/A (Covid Policy) MATH2930_SP20.pdf
Spring 2022 Alexander Vladimirsky B+ NA