MODULE TITLE: Applied Calculus for Earth and Environmental Sciences
MODULE CODE: MATH 211
CREDITS: 3 Credits
TYPE: Core
MODE OF DELIVERY: THREE LECTURE HOURS AND ONE TUTORIAL PER WEEK
PRE - REQUISITES: MATH 201
INSTRUCTOR: JOHN NJAGARAH
OFFICE NO: OFFICE BLOCK 1, ROOM 18
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of the module MATH 211, a student will be able to:
•Solve first order and second order difference equations
• Evaluate analytically solutions of ODEs and well as numerical solutions using Matlab
• Classify and solve analytically solve linear second order PDEs
• Compute Fourier series of simple functions including Fourier sine and cosine series.
MODULE DESCRIPTION:
Difference equations: First order and second difference equations, systems of difference equations.
Ordinary differential equations: Analytical solutions of first order and second order ODEs, solutions
of ODEs with Matlab. Partial differential equations: Classification of PDEs, analytical solutions by
the method of separation of variables. Fourier series: Orthogonal functions, Fourier sine and Fourier
cosine, Fourier series of simple functions and their display using Matlab.
MODULE OUTLINE:
Chapter 1: Difference Equations [10 hours]
First order difference equations; Second order Difference Equations, System of Difference
Equations; Applications
Chapter 2: Ordinary Differential Equations [18 hours]
How ODEs arise, Solutions of simple first-order ODEs; Analytical solutions to simple first order
ODEs (separation of variables, integrating factor method); Second order ODEs with constant
coefficients; System of ODEs; Solutions of ODEs with Matlab; Applications in Science.
Chapter 3: Partial Differential Equations [14 hours]
Introduction to PDEs and Solution Concept; First Order PDEs; Classifications of Second Order
linear PDEs; Separation of Variables Method to solve Linear Second Order PDEs; Applications
Chapter 4: Fourier Series [6 hours]
Orthogonal functions, Fourier sine and cosine series, Applications (Curve Fitting for Periodic-
like Data set)
SUGGESTED TEXTBOOK:
1. G. FULFORD, P. FORRESTER & A. JONES. Modelling with Differential and Difference
Equations; Cambridge University Press, 1997
2. David F. Parkhurst, Introduction to Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science, 2006,
ISBN- 13-978-0-387-34227-6
3. Xin-She Yang, Introductory Mathematics for Earth Scientists, 2008, ISBN: 978190376520
ASSESSMENT: Four tests only. The test dates and venue are indicated.
Test Number Date Room
Test 1 Thursday, 29, 2024 TBC
Test 2 Thursday, March 28, 2024 TBC
Test 3 Thursday, April 25, 2024 TBC
MINIMUM DULY PERFORMED (DP) REQUIREMENT: Students shall not be allowed to present
themselves for the final examination of this module unless they have attained the minimum
requirements of 35% for the class mark and attendance of at least 90%.
Ratio of CA to EXAM is; 2:3 (40:60)
Office hours: Tuesday 1100hrs-1200hrs
Friday 1200hrs-1300hrs
