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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Mathematics : Mathematics

Undergraduate Course: Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications (MATH10060)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Mathematics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryMost ordinary differential equations (ODEs) lack solutions that can be given in explicit analytical formulas. Numerical methods for ordinary differential equations allow for the computation of approximate solutions and are essential for quantitative study. In some cases, a numerical method can facilitate qualitative analysis as well, such as probing the long term solution behaviour. Modern applications of ODEs (e.g. in biology) will be discussed as well as particularities for their numerical approximation.
Course description See 'Course Description' above.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Student MUST NOT have taken MATH08036 Numerical Differential Equations in a previous session.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 22, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 59 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework 50%, Examination 50%
Feedback Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications (MATH10060) 2:00
Learning Outcomes
1. Understanding of the differences between types of ordinary differential equations in terms of order, dimension, autonomous/non-autonomous character, linearity/nonlinearity.
2. Understanding of the convergence of numerical methods.
3. Familiarity with popular classes of methods: Linear Multistep Methods and Runge-Kutta Methods.
4. Ability to derive methods in item 3 based upon local truncation error (consistency).
5. Ability to calculate stability regions for methods in item 3; classes of stability.
6. Understanding that consistency plus stability implies convergence.
7. Understanding of the concept of 'stiffness' in ordinary differential equations.
8. Perception of some applications of ordinary differential equations, particularly in biological models.
Reading List
An electronic textbook/course notes set will be provided. Students may find the following useful: Numerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations: Initial Value Problems (ISBN 978-0857291479, Springer, 2010) Additional potentially useful references included:
1. Numerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations by Butcher.
2. Numerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Systems: The Initial Value Problem, by Lambert.
3. A First Course in the Numerical Analysis of Differential Equations by Iserles.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNuODE
Contacts
Course organiserDr Benjamin Goddard
Tel: (0131 6)50 5127
Email: B.Goddard@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Hannah Burley
Tel: (0131 6)50 4885
Email: Hannah.Burley@ed.ac.uk
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