SYLLABUS OF CORE COURSES FOR BSC MATHEMATICS &

PHYSICS

EFFECTIVE FROM 2025-26

Contents
1. Algebra I 1
2. Analysis I 2
3. Introduction to Programming 2
4. Classical Mechanics I 3
5. English 3
6. Algebra II 3
7. Calculus I 4
8. Probability Theory 4
9. Classical Mechanics II 5
10. Electrodynamics 5
11. Algebra III 6
12. Analysis II 6
13. Calculus II 7
14. Quantum Mechanics I 7
15. Thermal Physics 8
16. Complex Analysis 8
17. Differential Equations 8
18. Topology 9
19. Quantum Mechanics II 9

1. Algebra I
Throughout the course the emphasis will be on linear algebra over real and
complex fields.
(1). Systems of linear equations, row reduction, vector spaces over any field,
bases and dimension, change of basis, linear transformations, dimension formula,
matrix of a linear transformation and change of bases
(2). Linear operators, similarity, determinants and invertibility, eigenvalues and
eigenspaces, characteristic polynomial, triangular and diagonal forms
(3). Euclidean/Hermitian spaces with standard inner product, orthogonal pro-
jection, orthonormal bases and Gram-Schmidt procedure, spectral theorem for Her-
mitian/symmetric operators andfor normal operators.

Date: 2025-08-01.
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(4). If time permits: one or more of the following topics: (a) minimal polynomial
and diagonalizability, (b) generalized eigenspace decomposition and Jordan canoni-
cal form, (c) Cayley-Hamilton theorem, (d) dual spaces, quotients, (e) applications
of linear algebra.

References.
(1). Artin, M., Algebra, second edition, PHI, 2010
(2). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor

2. Analysis I
(1). Axioms of the real number system without construction, applications of
the least-upper-bound property, Archimedean principle, existence of nth roots of
positive real numbers, ax for a > 0 and x > 0, cardinality, countability of rational
numbers, uncountability of real numbers.
(2). Convergence of sequences, uniqueness of limit, Sandwich lemma, exam-
ples, monotonic sequences, subsequences, Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem, lim sup and
lim inf, Cauchy sequences, completeness of R.
(3). Infinite series, convergence and divergence,
P∞ absolute convergence, condi-
tional convergence, convergence/divergence of k=1 k1p , comparison test, root test,
ratio test, Leibniz test.
(4). complex numbers, power series, radius of convergence of power series.
(5). Continuous functions on intervals of R, intermediate value theorem, bound-
edness of continuous functions on closed and bounded intervals. Uniform continuity,
uniform convergence, uniform limit of continuous functions is continuous, counter
example for point wise convergence.
(6). Differentiation, mean value theorem, Taylor’s theorem, application of Tay-
lor’s theorem to maxima and minima, L’Hôpital rule.
(7). Construction of ez using power series, proof of the periodicity of sin and
cos.
(8). Riemann Integration: Riemann integrals, Riemann integrability of continu-
ous functions, fundamental theorem of calculus. Improper integrals

References.
(1). R. Goldberg, Methods of Real Analysis.
(2). Bartle and Sherbett, Introduction to Real Analysis.
(3). Rudin, Principles of Mathematical Analysis.
(4). L. Cohen and Ehrlick, Structure of the Real Number System.
(5). T. Apostol, Calculus, vols I and II
(6). Ajit Kumar, S. Kumeresan: A basic course in Real analysis.

3. Introduction to Programming
The course will be based on the programming language Haskell. Function defi-
nitions: pattern matching, induction; Basic data types, tuples, lists; Higher order
functions; Polymorphism; Reduction as computation, lazy evaluation; Measuring
computational complexity; Basic algorithms: sorting, backtracking, dynamic pro-
gramming; User-defined datatypes: enumerated, recursive and polymorphic types;
Input/output.
 SYLLABUS OF CORE COURSES FOR BSC MATHEMATICS & PHYSICS 3

References.
(1). R. Bird and P. Wadler, Introduction to Functional Programming Prentice
Hall, 1988.
(2). R. Bird, Introduction to Functional Programming using Haskell, Prentice
Hall, 1998.
(3). Paul Hudak, The Haskell school of expression, Cambridge University Press,
2000.
(4). Graham Hutton, Programming in Haskell, Cambridge University Press,
2007.
(5). Bryan O’Sullivan, John Georzen and Don Stewart, Real World Haskell,
O’Reilly, 2007.

4. Classical Mechanics I
(1). Space and Time, Newton’s Laws, Conservation Laws, Harmonic, Damped,
Forced, and Kicked Oscillators, Rocket Motion, Collision Problems, Projectiles,
Central Forces, Inverse Square Law, Rutherford Scattering, Centrifugal and Coriolis
Forces, Potential Theory.
(2). Principle of Least Action, Constraints and Generalised Coordinates, La-
grange’s Equations, Noether’s Theorem and Symmetries, Applications, Hamilton’s
Equations, Small Oscillations, Stability, Normal Modes.
(3). Lorentz Transformations, Space-Time Diagrams, Length Contraction, Time
Dilation, Kinematics and Dynamics of a Particle, Composition of Velocities - Proper
Time, Equations of Motion in Absolute Form and Relative Form.
References.
(1). C. Kittel, W. D. Knight, M. A. Ruderman, C. A. Helmholz, and B. J. Moyer,
Mechanics: Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 1. Tata-McGraw Hill.
(2). T.W.B. Kibble, F. H. Berkshire, Classical Mechanics, World Scientific.
(3). J. L. Synge and B. A. Griffith, Principle of Mechanics, Nabu Press, 2011.

5. English
(1). Poetry: Selections from Indian and English poets. (a) Tagore, (b) Keats,
(c) Hopkins.
(2). Prose: Three Short Stories and one Novel. (a) Sharatchandra, (b) R. K.
Narayan, (c) Somerset Maugham, (d) Hemmingway’s Old Man & The Sea.
(3). Drama: Shakespeare’s The Tempest (selected portions)
(4). Interactive Communication: (a) Public Speaking (b) Field-work: interviews
with selected individuals
(5). Self-Expression: Paper to be submitted on a subjective topic.
(6). Effective Language: Use of language in different contexts — technical, in-
formal, literary etc.

6. Algebra II
(1). Bilinear forms, symmetric and Hermitian forms, Sylvester’s law, skew-symmetric
forms (at most 25% of the course)
(2). Groups, subgroups, homomorphisms and normal subgroups, equivalence re-
lations and partitions, cosets, quotient groups and quotient vector spaces, isomor-
phism theorem and correspondence theorem for groups and vector spaces, product
4 EFFECTIVE FROM 2025-26

groups, group actions, counting using orbits and stabilizers, class equation, Sylow
theorems, free groups, generators and relations
(3). Examples along the way to illustrate the theory, including cyclic groups, di-
hedral groups, symmetric groups and their conjugacy classes, simplicity of alternat-
ing groups, p-groups, general linear groups, orthogonal groups in small dimensions
and Euler’s theorem on SO(3).
(4). If time permits: One or more of the following topics: (a) unitary and sym-
plectic groups, (b) linear groups, (c) solvable and nilpotent groups, (d) tensor prod-
ucts of vector spaces (using explicit bases).

References.
(1). M. Artin, Algebra, second edition, PHI, 2010
(2). D. Dummit and R. Foote, Abstract Algebra
(3). I. Herstein, Topics in Algebra
(4). N. Jacobson, Basic Algebra I
(5). E. Vinberg, A course in algebra
(6). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor

7. Calculus I
(1). Metric spaces: examples of metric spaces, convergence of sequences in metric
spaces. Topology of Rn : Euclidean, ℓ1 and ℓ∞ norms on Rn and the equivalence
of convergence of sequences in Rn .
(2). Open and closed sets in metric spaces, properties, Continuous functions on
metric spaces, equivalent properties of continuity (using sequences and open sets),
boundedness of continuous functions defined on closed and bounded subsets of Rn .
(3). Inner product and linear maps on Rn .
(4). Vector valued functions — space curves, derivative as a linear map, Chain
rule, Matrix representation and partial derivatives, sufficient condition for differen-
tiability, equality of mixed partial derivatives. Taylor’s formula and its application
to maxima and minima.
(5). Inverse function theorem, Implicit function theorem, tangent spaces of level
surfaces, directional derivatives, gradient, Jacobian, critical points and regular val-
ues, Lagrange multipliers.
(6). Focussed on computations and examples: (iterated) double and triple in-
tegrals – applications (surface area, moment and centre of mass), change of vari-
ables. Vector calculus – Green’s theorem – divergence and curl, surface integrals,
Stokes’ theorem, the divergence theorem.

References.
(1). T. Apostol, Calculus, vols I and II
(2). James Stewart, Single and Multivariable Calculus –Early transcendentals
(Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16.)
(3). Rudin, Principles of Mathematical Analysis.
(4). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor

8. Probability Theory
Discrete probability, conditional probability and independence, Baye’s theorem,
random variables, distributions, expectations and moments, notion of dependence,
 SYLLABUS OF CORE COURSES FOR BSC MATHEMATICS & PHYSICS 5

joint distributions, covariance, standard examples like Binomial, multinomial, geo-

metric, Poisson etc, sums of independent variables, expectations and moments ,
Chernoff bounds, moment-generating functions, sampling distribution, the law of
large numbers, central limit theorem,
Continuous probability: densities, independence, joint distributions, covariance,
characteristic functions, standard examples like uniform, normal, exponential, Gamma
etc., sums of independent variables, convolutions, moment-generating functions,
sampling distribution, law of large numbers, central limit theorem, Markov chains

References.
(1). W. Feller, An Introduction to Probability Theory and its Applications, Vol.1,
John Wiley.
(2). G. R. Grimmett and D. R. Stirzaker, Probability and Random Processes,
Oxford Science Publications.
(3). K. S. Trivedi, Probability and Statistics with Queuing, Reliability and Com-
puter Science Applications. Prentice-Hall.
(4). N. Alon and J. H. Spencer, The probabilistic method
(5). M. Mitzenmacher and E. Upfal, Probability and computing

9. Classical Mechanics II
Review of Hamilton’s theory, Liouville’s theorem, Poincare Recurrence Theorem,
Poisson’s Brackets, Canonical Transformations, Action-Angle Variables, Adiabatic
Invariants, Hamilton-Jacobi Theory.
Phase Space and Phase Portraits, First and Second Order Systems, Predator-
Prey Problems, Limit Cycles, Sensitivity to Initial Conditions and Predictability,
Integrability, Some Hamiltonian Systems which Exhibit Chaos, Near Integrable
Systems.
General Mathematical Formulation of Kinematics and Dynamics of Continuum
Systems, Eulerian and Lagrangian Descriptions, Rigid Body Dynamics: Angu-
lar Velocity, The Inertia Tensor, Angular Momentum, The Equations of Motion,
Eulerian Angles, Euler’s Equations, Elasticity: The Strain Tensor, The Stress Ten-
sor, Hooke’s Law, Homogeneous and Temperature-dependent Deformations, Elastic
Waves, Thermal Conduction and Viscosity, Fluid Dynamics: Conservation Laws,
Ideal Fluids, Viscous Fluids, Basics of Turbulence, Thermal Conduction and Dif-
fusion in Fluids.

References.
(1). Classical Mechanics, T.W.B. Kibble, F. H. Berkshire, World Scientific.
(2). Elasticity: Course of Theoretical Physics, Vol. 7 by L.D. Landau and E.M.
Lifshitz; Butterworth Heinemann.
(3). Fluid Mechanics: Course of Theoretical Physics, Vol. 6 by L.D. Landau
and E.M. Lifshitz; Butterworth Heinemann.

10. Electrodynamics
Gradient, Divergence, Curl, Theorems of Gauss, Green, and Stokes. Electro-
statics: Charges, Fields, Potentials, Capacitance, Magnetostatics: Currents, Fields,
Potentials, Inductance, Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday’s Law, Displacement
Current.
6 EFFECTIVE FROM 2025-26

Currents and Conductors: Uniqueness Theorems, Method of Images, Ohms’

Law, Microscopic Theory of Conduction, Hall Effect.
Electric and Magnetic Fields in Matter: Polarization, Displacement, Magnetiza-
tion, Boundary Conditions at a Surface of Discountinuity.
Conservation Laws: Conservation of of Energy, Poynting’s Theorem, Conserva-
tion of Momentum and Angular Momentum, Maxwell’s Stress Tensor.

References.
(1). Electricity and Magnetism: Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 2, by E. M.
Purcell; Tata-McGraw Hill.
(2). Introduction to Electrodynamics: by D. J. Griffiths; Benjamin Cummings,
Prentice-Hall of India.
(3). Principles of Electrodynamics by Melvin Schwartz; Dover Publication.

11. Algebra III

(1). Rings, homomorphisms and ideals, quotient rings, isomorphism and corre-
spondence theorems, examples of noncommutative rings including quaternions, ring
of square matrices/linear operators and its 2-sided ideals
(2). polynomial rings and long division, products and idempotents, Chinese re-
mainder theorem, fraction fields, maximal ideals, Nullstellensatz over complex num-
bers
(3). Factorization in domains, PID, UFD, Gauss Lemma, factoring integer poly-
nomials, Gaussian integers
(4). Fields, field extensions, multiplicativity of degree, algebraic and transcen-
dental elements, minimal polynomial, adjoining roots, splitting field, multiple roots,
finite fields: construction, uniqueness, subfields, cyclicity of the multiplicative group,
n
factoring xp − x over Fp .
(5). If time permits: one or more of the following topics: (a) quadratic number
fields (b) basic algebraic geometry (c) free algebras (tensor, symmetric, exterior
algebras with explicit basis).

References.
(1). M. Artin, Algebra, second edition, PHI, 2010
(2). D. Dummit and R. Foote, Abstract Algebra
(3). I. Herstein, Topics in Algebra
(4). N. Jacobson, Basic Algebra I
(5). E. Vinberg, A course in algebra
(6). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor

12. Analysis II
(1). Construction of the real number system: assuming N and induction, con-
struct Z, Q and the Cauchy construction of R.
(2). Metric spaces: Characterisation of open sets in R as countable union of
disjoint open intervals. Various equivalent formulations of Compactness, Conse-
quences of compactness, open balls not totally bounded in infinite dimensions.
(3). Completeness - Completions, examples of completeness : compact sets, all
bounded functions, C(X) (with X compact), C0 (X) (with X locally compact), ℓp ,
ℓ∞ , c0 sequence spaces.
 SYLLABUS OF CORE COURSES FOR BSC MATHEMATICS & PHYSICS 7

(4). Connectedness, Path connectedness, properties of Cantor set Baire category

theorem, (optional: applications like nowhere differentiable functions are of second
category, set of discontinuities of point wise convergence of continuous functions
are countable), Cantor intersection theorem
(5). Dini’s theorem, Stone-Weierstrass theorem and applications, Arzela-Ascoli
theorem and their applications to ODEs, Contraction mapping theorem.
(6). Fourier series: Fourier transform for 2π-periodic functions, Dirichlet and
Fejer Kernels, convolutions, Fejer’s theorem, Riemann-Lebesgue lemma.
(7). If time permits: Tychonoff’s theorem, Hilbert cube, locally compact, one-
point compactification.

References.
(1). S. Kumeresan: Topology of metric spaces.
(2). S. Kesavan Lectures on Fourier series.
(3). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor

13. Calculus II
(1). Definition of Riemann-Darboux integrals, Jordan-measurability, Fubini the-
orem, area/volume under graph as application.
(2). Quick review of multivariable differentiation, Jacobian matrix.
(3). Change of variables in integration: Formulation (but no proof) and exam-
ples, especially polar, spherical coordinates. Proof in the case of a linear bijection.
(4). (On R2 and R3 ) Curl and divergence of vector fields, gradient of a function.
Poincaré lemma for curl-free vector fields. Stokes’/Green’s theorem on R2 and R3 .
Examples and applications possibly to solutions of Laplacian.
The next two sections to be all done on open subsets of a finite-dimensional real
vector space.
(5). Multilinear algebra, exterior algebra Vector fields, 1-forms, exterior forms
and exterior differentiation. Pull-back of forms.
(6). Smooth cubical chains, boundary, Stokes’ Theorem statement. Proof in
dimensions one and two.

References.
(1). M. Spivak, Calculus on Manifolds.
(2). C. C. Pugh, Real Mathematical Analysis.
(3). Rudin, Principles of Mathematical Analysis.
(4). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor.

14. Quantum Mechanics I

Experimental Background, The Old Quantum Theory, Uncertainty and Comple-
mentarity, Discussion of Measurement, The Schrodinger and Heisenberg Pictures
and Equivalence, Development of the Wave Equation, Interpretation of the Wave
Function, Wave Packets in Space and Time, Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues, En-
ergy and Momentum Eigenfunctions, Expectation Values, Two-level System, One-
dimensional Square Well and Barrier Potential, Linear Harmonic Oscillator, The
Hydrogen Atom, Collisions in Three Dimensions, Scattering by a Coulomb Field.
8 EFFECTIVE FROM 2025-26

References.
(1). Quantum Physics: Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 4, by E. H. Wichman;
Tata-McGraw Hill.
(2). Quantum Mechanics by L. I. Schiff, McGraw Hill.
(3). Quantum Mechanics by E. Merzbacher, John Wiley.

15. Thermal Physics

The laws of Thermodynamics, Thermodynamic Potentials, Applications of Ther-
modynamics, Equation of State, Description of Phase Transitions, Surface Effects
in Condensation, Van der Waals Equation of State, Osmotic Pressure.
Probability, General Definitions, One Random Variable, Some Important Prob-
ability Distributions, Many Random Variables.
Binary Collisions, Boltzmann Transport Equation, Boltzmann’s H Theorem,
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution, Most Probable Distribution, Transport Phenom-
ena, Mean Free Path, Conservation Laws, The Zeroth and First Order Approxima-
tions, Viscosity, The Navier-Stokes Equation, Examples in Hydrodynamics.

References.
(1). Statistical Physics: Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 5, by F. Reif; Tata-
McGraw Hill.
(2). Statistical Mechanics by Kerson Huang, Wiley Eastern.
(3). Statistical Physics of Particles by Mehran Kardar, Cambridge University
Press.

16. Complex Analysis

Complex numbers and geometric representation, analytic functions, power se-
ries, exponential and logarithmic functions, conformality, Mobius transformations,
complex integration, Cauchy’s theorem, Cauchy’s integral formula, singularities,
Taylor’s theorem, The maximum principle, The residue theorem and applications.

References.
(1). L. V. Ahlfors, Complex analysis, Tata Mc-Graw Hill.
(2). Stein and Shakarchi, Complex Analysis
(3). Hille, Analytic Function Theory.
(4). Alpay, A Complex Analysis Problem Book
(5). Nevanlinna and Paatero, Introduction to Complex Analysis.

17. Differential Equations

This is a course on ordinary differential equations, concentrating on equations of
the type ẋ = v(t, x), where v is a suitable map from an open subset of Rn+1 to Rn .
(1). Computational techniques: Basic techniques: Separable DEs, linear first
order DEs, exact DEs. Linear DEs with constant coefficients. Special techniques:
instructor’s choice (e.g. Bernoulli Equations, reduction of order, Bessel equations,
hypergeometric equations and special functions).
(2). Existence and uniqueness: phase space, phase curves, integral curves, Au-
tonomous and non-autonomous differential equations, Lipschitz and locally Lips-
chitz functions, Picard’s theorem, Intervals of existence for the initial value prob-
lems (IVP), Maximal interval of existence.
 SYLLABUS OF CORE COURSES FOR BSC MATHEMATICS & PHYSICS 9

(3). Linear DEs: First order vector valued linear differential equations. Reduc-
tion of scalar nth order linear differential equation to a first order Rn valued linear
DE. Wronskians. Variation of parameters for first order vector DEs. The exponen-
tial of a linear endomorphism. Real and complex Jordan forms, general solutions
of homogeneous first order vector valued linear DEs with constant coefficients.
(4). Continuity and differentiability with respect to initial conditions. The state-
ment of the rectification theorem.
(5). If time permits: One or more of the following topics. Proof of the recti-
fication theorem. Existence of phase curves on compact manifolds. Solutions via
Laplace and Fourier transforms. Power series solutions. First integrals. Lyapunov
stability.

References.
(1). V. I. Arnold, Ordinary Differential Equations, translated by Richard A.
Silverman, MIT Press (also Prentice-Hall, India), Cambridge,MA, U.S.A., 1973.
(2). V. I. Arnold, Ordinary Differential Equations, Third Edition, translated by
Roger Cooke, Universitext, Springer-Verlag,
(3). W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima Elementary Differential Equations and
Boundary Value Problems, Ninth Edition, Wiley, 2009.
(4). C. Chicone, Ordinary Differential Equations with Applications, Springer,
2006.
(5). E. A. Coddington and N. Levinson, Theory of Ordinary Differential Equa-
tions, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1955 (republished Dover, New York, 2006).
(6). G. F. Simmons, Differential Equations with Applications and Historical
Notes, McGraw-Hill, 1991.
(7). L. Perko, Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems, Springer.
(8). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor.

18. Topology
(1). Topological spaces, connected and path connected spaces, connected sets
in the real line, compact spaces, compact sets in the real line, Tychonoff theorem,
quotient spaces, locally compact spaces,
(2). countability and separation axioms, Urysohn lemma and at least one appli-
cation from the three listed below, compactifications.
(3). homotopy of paths and fundamental groups, covering spaces, deformation
retracts, fundamental groups of the circle, the punctured plane and S n .
(4). If time permits: Applications of Urysohn lemma: (a) partitions of unity
(b) Urysohn metrization theorem and (c) Tietze extension theorem. More exam-
ples of calculating fundamental groups (figure eight, simple cases of van Kampen
theorem).

References.
(1). J. Munkres, Topology, Second Edition, Prentice Hall
(2). Additional sources as recommended by the instructor

19. Quantum Mechanics II

Matrix Formulation of Quantum Mechanics: Bra and Ket Formulation, Transfor-
mation Theory, Equations of Motion, Symmetry in Quantum Mechanics, Space and
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Time Displacements, Rotation, Angular Momentum and Unitary Groups, Combi-

nation of Angular Momentum States and Tensor Operators, Space Inversion and
Time Reversal, Dynamical Symmetry.
Approximation Methods for Bound States: Stationary Perturbation Theory,
Variational Method, Dalgarno-Lewis Method – WKB Approximation, Time-dependent
Perturbation Theory.
Approximation Methods in Collision Theory: The Scattering Matrix, Sta-tionary
Collision Theory, Born Approximation, Distorted Wave Born Approximation, Par-
tial Wave Analysis.
Identical Particles and Spin: Stern-Gerlach Experiment, Pauli Matrices, Boson
and Fermion Wavefunctions, Density Operator and Density Matrix.
Recommended Texts.
(1). Quantum Mechanics by L. I. Schiff, McGraw Hill.
(2). Quantum Mechanics by E. Merzbacher, John Wiley.
(3). Quantum Mechanics: Course of Theoretical Physics, Vol. 3 by L.D. Lan-
dau and E.M. Lifshitz; Butterworth Heineman