Introduction to Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations

Department: 
MATH
Course Number: 
6640
Hours - Lecture: 
3
Hours - Lab: 
0
Hours - Recitation: 
0
Hours - Total Credit: 
3
Typical Scheduling: 
Every fall semester

Introduction to the implementation and analysis of numerical algorithms for the numerical solution of the classic partial differential equations of science and engineering.

Prerequisites: 

MATH 4347 and MATH 4640

Course Text: 

No text

Topic Outline: 
  • Quick Review of Basic Models - Elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic problems, classification and behavior of solutions, numerical concerns
  • Elliptic Problems and the Finite Element Method - Two-point boundary value problems, Laplace and Poisson equations, variational formulation, finite element methods, interpolation theory, quadrature, energy norm, a priori convergence, order of convergence
  • Brief Review of Numerical Linear Algebra - Specialized to systems arising from discretization of differential equations: sparse and banded matrices, direct methods, basic iterative methods
  • Parabolic Problems and the Method of Lines - Explicit and implicit discretization schemes, numerical stability, stiffness and dissipativity, convergence
  • Hyperbolic Problems - Transport equation, characteristics, finite difference schemes, stability, dissipativity, dispersion, the CFL condition, convergence, the wave equation
  • Miscellaneous Topics as Time Permits - Error estimation, adaptive schemes, conservation laws