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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus (PHYS08042)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course is designed for pre-honours physics students continuing from PH1. It covers linear algebra and multivariate calculus, which are used to describe concepts in physics. The course consists of lectures to present new material, and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency.
Course description - Vectors. Basic vector algebra. (1)
- Dot and cross products. Triple products. (3)
- Linear independence. Expansion in a basis. Change of basis. (1)
- Matrices. Matrix algebra. Orthogonal transformations. (3)
- Determinant, rank and inverse. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Matrix diagonalisation(4)
- Complex vectors. Hermitian and unitary matrices. (2)
- Taylor expansions. Maxima, minima and saddle points (1)
- Partial derivatives. Chain rule. Change of variables. Spherical and cylindrical polar coordinates. (3)
- Multivariate integration. (2)
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Physics 1A: Foundations (PHYS08016) AND Mathematics for Physics 2 (PHYS08036) OR ( Introduction to Linear Algebra (MATH08057) AND Calculus and its Applications (MATH08058))
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  400
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 20, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Revision Session Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 54 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 20% Coursework
80% Examination
Feedback Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus Dec Exam1:105
Resit Exam Diet (August)Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus Aug Exam1:105
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Show fluency and confidence in linear algebra and several variable calculus, as they apply to physical problems
  2. Present a solution to a physics problem in a clear and logical written form
  3. Assess whether a solution to a given problem is physically reasonable
  4. Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers and use of computer algebra packages where appropriate) to facilitate independent problem-solving
  5. Take responsibility for learning by attending lectures and workshops, and completing coursework
Reading List
Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering
AUTHORS: K.F. Riley, M.P. Hobson & S.J. Bence
ISBN: 9780521679718
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsLASVC
Contacts
Course organiserDr Christopher Stock
Tel: (0131 6)50 7066
Email: C.Stock@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Dipti Dineshwar
Tel:
Email: ddineshw@ed.ac.uk
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