Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICISTS I
Code PHYS107
Coordinator Dr B Cheal
Physics
Bradley.Cheal@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

To provide a foundation for the mathematics required by physical scientists.

To assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to use the mathematics developed in the module.


Learning Outcomes

  • a good working knowledge of differential and integral calculus



  • familiarity with some of the elementary functions common in applied mathematics and science



  • an introductory knowledge of functions of several variables



  • manipulation of complex numbers and use them to solve simple problems involving fractional powers



  • an introductory knowledge of series



  • a good rudimentary knowledge of simple problems involving statistics: binomial and Poisson distributions, mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean


    • Syllabus
    1  1
    • Fundamentals
    • Introduction to statistics. Binomial and Poisson distributions, mean, standard deviation, standard error on mean, chi-squared, application to experimental analysis.
    2
    • Problem set 1 - Statistics.
    3
    • Vectors
    • Scalar and vector products.
    • Simple vector equations.
    • Applications of vectors to solving physics problems.
    4
    • Problem set 2 - Vectors.
    5
    • Differentiation I
    • Basics of differentiation
    • The product rule.
    6
    • Problem set 3 - Differen tiation I.
    7
    • Differentiation II
    • The chain rule.
    • Application of differentiation to solving physical problems.
    8
    • Problem set 4 - Differentiation II.
    9
    • Partial Differentiation.
    • Applications of partial differentiation to finding solutions to physics problems.
    10
    • Problem set 5 - Partial differentiation.
    11
    • Integration I.
    • Basics of integration.
    • Integration of the function of a function.
    • Definite integrals.
    • Volumes of rotation.
    12
    • Problem set 6 - Integration I.
    13
    • Integration II.
    • Integration by substitution.
    • Trigonometric integration.
    • Integration by parts.
    • Integration by partial fractions.
    14
    • Problem set 7 - Integration II
    15
    • Integration III.
    • Multi-dimensional integration.
    16
    • Problem set 8 - Integration III
    17
    • Introduction to Series.
    • Arithmetic Series.
    • Geometric Series.
    • Taylor and Maclaurin Series.
    18
    • Problem set 9 - Series.
    19
    • Polar coordinate systems.
    • Spherical polar coordinates.
    • Cylindrical polar coordinates.
    • Using polar coordinates to find simple solutions to physical problems.
    20
    • Problem set 10 - Polar coordinate systems.
    21
    • Complex Numbers
    22
    • Problem set 11 - Complex Numbers

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture - Lecture

    = 11 x 3 lectures/week

    Workshops - = 10 x 3 hour workshop

    E-learning - 4 x online problems sets in Pearson MyMathLabGlobal.

    Teaching Schedule
      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours 33
    Lecture
    		        30
    = 10 x 3 hour workshop
    		63
    Timetable (if known) = 11 x 3 lectures/week
          		           
    Private Study 87
    TOTAL HOURS 150

    Assessment
    EXAM Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Unseen Written Exam  3 hours  1  70  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Exam Notes (applying to all assessments) If any continuous assessment component is failed and a resit is required, the mark for the resit examination will subsume the marks for all the continuous assessment components.  
    CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Coursework    1  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  MyMathLabGlobal There is no reassessment opportunity, Subsumed by exam 
    Coursework  10 x 3 hours  1  20  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Problem Classes There is no reassessment opportunity, Subsumed by resit exam 

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: