APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATION
FAX: (205) 934-9025
|
UAB Department of Mathematics APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATION |
Voice: (205) 934-2154
FAX: (205) 934-9025 |
The Department of Mathematics at UAB is offering a new track in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computation leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mathematics.
A mathematical model is a rendering of some real-world system into the language of mathematics, usually taking the form of a single partial differential equation, or a system of such equations. The development of effective mathematical models is a fundamental need of our society, based as it is upon science and technology, and these models act as the indispensable link between us humans and the multitude of machines that we use to manage and investigate our world.
In weather prediction, data is gathered both globally and locally and used as input to a system of partial differential equations that now include not only effects related to the atmosphere, but also oceanic and even polar effects. This system of equations is large and complex, and good mathematics together with powerful supercomputer systems are needed for their solution. The end result is that today hurricanes and even tornadoes, while not exactly predicable, are much more predicable that in earlier times. The early warning systems generated by these models have saved many lives in recent years. There are many other examples of beneficial mathematical models. Many regions of the country depend crucially on groundwater, both for human and industrial/agricultural use. It is a renewable but fragile resource, and contamination and overuse is a constant problem. Once again, aquifers are modeled by a system of partial differential equations. The design of jumbo-sized jet aircraft, CAT-scan imaging in medicine, the effects of earth tremors on buildings in earthquake zones, and option pricing models in the stock market are some additional examples of mathematical models of value to society.
The new track is aimed at providing graduates with the mathematical and computational skills needed to develop and maintain mathematical models from the Sciences, Engineering, Medicine and the Biosciences, Business, and elsewhere.
The course sequence in this track in the Mathematics major include the following mathematics courses
Two additional electives selected from Introduction to Modeling (MA 261), Geometry (MA 270), or any course numbered 420 or above.
A minimum grade of C is needed in each of the 12 mathematics courses counted toward the major. A minor in the sciences, engineering, or business is required. Also Track C (Computer Science-Technology Track) of the NSM school-wide reuirements must be satisfied in addition to either Track A or B.
The upper level mathematics courses are also offered to graduate students.
Syllabi for the standard courses may be found from the University catalog http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=1934. For convenience we list the course content for the courses in this track recently added to the department master course listing:
MA261. INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL MODELING Introduction to mathematical modeling using computer software, including spreadsheets, systems dynamics software, and compuer algebra systems. Prerequisite: MA 125 with grade of C or better. 3 hours.
MA 360/560. SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMING This course is designed to provide the computational skills needed to attempt serious scientific computational tasks. Computers and floating point arithmetic; the UNIX operating system and an introduction to the compiled programming languages FORTRAN and C++ in the context of solving systems of linear equations and eigenvalue problems arising from practical situations; use of debuggers and other debugging techniques; use of callable subroutine packages like LAPACK, MINPACK, QUADPACK, and PGPLOT, as well as MAPLE, MATLAB, and the NAG/IMSL subroutine libraries; practical programming projects. Co-requisite: Linear Algebra (MA 260 or MA 434).
MA461/561. MODELING WITH PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS Introduction to the use of standard PDE packages like ELLPACK (elliptic equations) CLAWPACK (hyperbolic equations), PDEONE/TWO (parabolic equations), and the finite element package PLTMG, using practical examples; introduction to parallel programming using HPF, MPI and PVM, and the use of the mathematics department's Beowulf system, mu3; specialized modeling projects in topics such as groundwater modeling, medical and industrial imaging, fluid mechanics, and acoustic and electromagnetic applications. Pre-requisite: MA360/460 and MA455/555.
| Department of Mathematics The University of Alabama at Birmingham 452 Campbell Hall 1300 University Boulevard Birmingham AL 35294-1170 |
Voice: (205) 934-2154
FAX: (205) 934-9025 |