Spring 2011 -- MATH 575: Calculus of Variations
Instructor: Dr. Wen-Qing Xu
Office: FO3-203
Phone: 562-985-1823
Email: wxu@csulb.edu
Web: www.csulb.edu/~wxu
Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 5:30-6:45PM, LA5-347.
Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 1:30-2:00PM, Tuesday 4:50-6:30PM, and by appointment.
Textbooks:
Prerequisites: MATH 361B and either 364A or 370A.
Goal:
To study solution methods for variational problems.
Topics include: first variation, Euler-Lagrange equation,
variational principles, problems with constraints, boundary conditions, applications
to physics and geometry. May include multiple integral problems, eigenvalue problems,
convexity, and second variation.
Grading Policy:
- Homework: 25%
- Exam 1:
25%
- Exam 2:
25%
- Final Exam:
25%
Remarks:
- Class attendance is expected and will be checked from time to time. If you have to miss a class for a
valid reason, notify me in advance.
- Homework problems will be assigned and collected approximately once every two weeks.
No late homework will be accepted.
- There will be two midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam.
There will be no make-up exams except in extremely unusual circumstances.
- Any office hour may be canceled due to illness or necessary appointments, students should
therefore not depend upon a faculty member being in his/her office for a particular office hour.
Students should secure any necessary signatures or other such requirements well in advance of any deadline.
- If you received permission to register for a closed class section, only you can enroll for the course.
It is the student's responsibility to complete the registration process
before the dates indicated in the Schedule of Classes.
- Please refer to the university policy and deadlines for withdrawals. It is the student's responsibility
to withdraw from the course. The instructor has no obligation to withdraw students who do not attend classes,
and may choose not to do so.
- Request for special need for accommodation of a University verified disability should be submitted
within the first two weeks with all necessary documentation.