Physics 471D -- Advanced Topics: Nonlinear Dynamics -- Spring 2024

Instructor Renate Wackerbauer,
Office Location: REIC 106
phone: 474-6108                                WELCOME, and have a great semester !!
e-mail: rawackerbauer@alaska.edu
Open office hours Walk-ins are very welcome; appointments help; email is effective for straight-forward questions
Course info Phys471D, 1 credit
Prerequisites Phys220 and Phys301, or instructor's permission
Lectures MWF  1-2pm, REIC 207
Noyes Lab Access to the Noyes Computer Lab (Rm 101 REIC) is provided to all students enrolled in a Physics course. Your polar express card lets you in.
Text

Required text: 
Excerpts from Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, by S. Strogatz, Perseus Publishing.
(book is available as hard copy and as electronic copy at Rasmuson Library)

Supplementary readings:
Chaotic dynamics,  by T. Tel and M. Gruiz, Cambridge (2007).
--many nice applications, and great explanations.
Mathematical Biology I and II, by J.D. Murray, Springer (3rd edition, 2002) 
--on nonlinear dynamics with particular focus on biological systems
There are many books on nonlinear dynamics in the library. Please explore them to see different approaches to our topics.

Course Content

Tentative course calendar

 Introduction into the dynamics of nonlinear systems. Continuous and discrete dynamical systems, stability analysis, bifurcations, limit cycle, chaos and strange attractors, fractals and dimension algorithms.

Course Goals

 

 This course provides an introduction into nonlinear dynamics at the undergraduate level. Dynamical systems that are characterized with coupling and feedback processes often show dynamical (or spatiotemporal) patterns that need to be described at the systems level; a reductionist approach is not suited for complex systems, since the entire system behaves different than the sum of its part. Complex systems can be high-dimensional but must not. A necessary requirement for complex dynamics is nonlinear equations of motion.
Student Learning Outcomes Students learn,
*how to analyze the stability of complex systems
*how nonlinear systems differ from linear systems regarding dynamical properties
*how sensitivity of system dynamics is related to predictability, determinism, and control
*to explore dynamical systems analytically and with computer simulations

Homework

homework assignments

 Homework will be assigned weekly and will be due by 1 pm on the following wednesday, unless explicitely altered at the time of assignment. Late homework will not be accepted. Finished homework should be turned in at the beginning of class.
in case of issues with the homework link use: ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/wacker/CLASS/471D.html
Examinations

A one-hour in-term final examination will be held during the semester. The exam will be closed books and closed notes. No calculators, computers, or communication devices are allowed. 

Final exam Friday, Feb 16, in class Strogatz, approx chapt 2, 3, 5-10
Grading The maximum score for each homework will be 100 points. illegible work will not be graded. To pass the course with a grade higher than an "F", you need 50% of the total credits. Grades A - D are assigned equal weight (units of 12.5%) for total credits between 50% and 100%. +/- are assigned 2.5% from grade boundary. So A+ (>97.5), A(>90), A- (>87.5), B+(>85), B(>77.5), B- (>75), C+ (>72.5), C (>65), C- (>62.5), etc. For the final grade homework, exams, will be weighted as follows:

Homework 70%
Final exam 30%
Course policies Attendance at lectures is expected. Active class participation, questions, comments are extremely welcome in the lectures. A missed exam will receive 0 credit unless the instructor is notified by email, phone, etc before the exam starts. Make-up exams will be individually scheduled with the student.
Student Obligations As students of UAF, you are bound by the policies and regulations of the University of Alaska, UAF rules and procedures, and the Student Honor Code. You are obligated to make yourselves familiar with all conditions presented in the UAF Catalog. Plagiarism on homework, or on exam will result in a failing grade.
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Student Academic Support:
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        Writing Center (907-474-5314, uaf-writing-center@alaska.edu, Gruening 8th floor)
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           https://www.ctc.uaf.edu/student-services/student-success-center/)
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          (https://www.uaf.edu/advising/lr/SKM_364e19011717281.pdf)

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        Student Health & Counseling [6 free counseling sessions]
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