Mathematics 365: Complex Variables With Applications

Spring 2010, 3 credits

Instructor:

Professor Stephen J. Willson
Office: Carver 411
Telephone: 294-7671
E-mail: swillson@iastate.edu
FAX: (515)-294-5454

Office hours:

MTWRF at 1:10-2:00 in 411 Carver. Please also feel free to make an appointment if the office hours are inconvenient for you.

Homework:

Most homework problems will be ungraded. Most classes will begin with a discussion of the ungraded homework problems for that day. Most exam questions will be similar to homework problems. Occasional homework problems may be collected and graded; these will all be specified in advance. Current homework assignments are available by clicking here.

The final exam is Thursday, May 6, 9:45 - 11:45 a.m. in 132 Carver.

Some review problems are available at final review.

Current course grades

Current course grades and all recorded scores are available on the web by clicking grades. Scores are listed by the first 6 digits of the second part of the student identification number. If a score has been incorrectly recorded, you should contact the instructor.

Class meetings:

TR at 11:00 - 12:20 in 132 Carver.

The first class is Tuesday, January 12, 2010, and the last class is Thursday, April 29, 2010. There are no classes Spring Break (the week of March 15 - 19).

Prerequisites:

Math 265.

Catalog description:

Functions of a complex variable, including differentiation, integration and series expansions, residues, evaluation of integrals, conformal mapping. Only two of 365, 385, 395 may be counted toward graduation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Textbook:

Saff and Snider. Fundamentals of Complex Analysis with Applications to Engineering and Science, 3rd edition, Prentice-Hall ISBN 0-13-907874-6.

Likely order of topics:

Complex numbers and complex-valued functions
Analytic functions (Differentiation)
Elementary functions
Line integrals in the complex plane
Infinite series representations
Calculus of residues
Conformal mapping

Grading:

Grades will be based on points accumulated. Points will be awarded for

at least three hour exams (approximately 50 points each),
a comprehensive final exam (100 points)
approximately four half-hour quizzes (approximately 25 points each)
possibly some graded homework (variable numbers of points)

I anticipate a total of around 350 to 400 points. Grades may include a plus or a minus. Grade cutoffs will be announced for each exam and quiz. The cutoff for a given level (for example A-) in the course will be the sum of the cutoffs for that level for each exam or quiz.

Scheduled exams and quizzes

Quiz, Thursday, January 21.
Exam, Thursday, February 4.
Quiz, Thursday, February 18.
Exam, Thursday, March 4.
Quiz, Thursday, March 25.
Exam, Thursday, April 8.
Quiz, Thursday, April 22.
Final exam, the week of May 3-7.

Drop Deadline:

The last day to drop this course is March 26, 2010.

Sickness policy:

If you are sick the day of an exam, you should contact the instructor by phone on the day of the exam to arrange a timely make-up.

Calculators:

A graphing calculator is sometimes useful for this course. I recommend the TI-89, but the TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus, TI-85, TI-86, TI-92, and TI Voyage 200 are also acceptable. For help in using your calculator, see your manual or else use web calculator help.

Disabilities:

Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). DR is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076.

Related downloads

Information about the instructor:

For more information about the instructor, click here.

Last updated January 8, 2010.