Mathematical tools of physics

Duration

30h Th, 30h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Peter Schlagheck

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course completes the mathematical education of physics students. It particularly focuses on complex analysis, on the solution of differential equations, as well as on the mathematical complements of quantum mechanics.
Topics of the course in detail: - complex analysis and the residue theorem - Fourier and Laplace transforms - ordinary differential equations - Hilbert space and orthogonal polynomials - Sturm-Liouville equation and spectral theory

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Prinicpal objectives of the course: - to complete the instruction on mathematical tools used by physicists - to train the students on the practical solution of mathematical problems in physics - to develop the mathematical notions that form the basis of quantum mechanics

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Mathematical analysis
Linear algebra

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Regular homework (once per week) with exercises in relation to the course will have to be submitted. The exercises will be corrected, graded, and discussed in the TP classes. The students will be invited there to present their solutions on the blackboard.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The course will be given face-to-face "ex cathedra" on the blackboard.

Recommended or required readings

Recommended literature: - W. Appel: "Mathématique pour la physique et les physiciens" (H&K Editions, 2002) - G.B. Arfken & H.J. Weber: "Mathematical Methods for Physicists" (Academic Press, 1995) - R. Courant & D; Hilbert: "Methods of Mathematical Physics / volume I" (Interscience Publishers, 1953) - M.R. Spiegel: "Complex Variables" (Schaum, 1964)

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation will be done by - a written exam (3 hours, 90% of the total grade) and - the homework exercises (10% of the total grade).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Peter Schlagheck Département de Physique Université de Liège IPNAS, building B15, office 0/125 Sart Tilman 4000 Liège Phone: 04 366 9043 Email: Peter.Schlagheck@ulg.ac.be http://www.pqs.ulg.ac.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

The "ex cathedra" course is replaced by the finalisation of the writing of the lecture notes which reflect rather faithfully the notes written on the blackboard during the teaching sessions as well as the explanations given by the professor. The lecture notes are continuously updated.
As far as the exercises are concerned, their solutions are provided for the students on eCampus. The students that are enrolled in this course are invited to send their solutions by mail to the assistant (rchretien@uliege.be) who will correct them and send back the corrected version. Those solutions are still graded, but those grades do not count for the total grade associated with this course.
Fora were installed on eCampus. The students are invited to ask there their questions concerning the course and the exercises.

Assessment subjects

The matter to be evaluated covers the totality of the course and the exercises.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the course will be done by a written exam to be carried out on distance. The students will have 4 hours for this exam. The technical modalities of this exam will be communicated by mail to the students.

Contacts

Professor : Peter Schlagheck : Peter.Schlagheck@uliege.be
Assistant : Renaud Chrétien : rchretien@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

The matter to be evaluated covers the totality of the course and the exercises.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the course will be done by a written exam to be carried out on distance. The students will have 4 hours for this exam. The technical modalities of this exam will be communicated by mail to the students.

Contacts

Professor : Peter Schlagheck : Peter.Schlagheck@uliege.be
Assistant : Renaud Chrétien : rchretien@uliege.be

Items online