Applied Math 3010, Fall 2011
Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Chaos
| Class: | MWF 12 | ECCR 151 |
| Instructor: | J. Meiss | ECOT 236 |
| Office Hours: | MF 2-3, Th1-2 | Other times--by appointment |
| Text | Strogatz, S. | Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos (Addison-Wesley, Reading) |
Chaos is a relatively new area of applied mathematics that has influenced everything from spacecraft trajectories, the design of lasers, ultrafast spectroscopy, the design of micro-mixers, and stock market analysis to even psychology, drama, and literature. Our study will begin with simplest of systems, one dimensional dynamics, and progress to systems with more degrees of freedom (We will not progress linearly through the text!). Our study includes differential equations and maps, bifurcations and catastrophes, and the qualitative analysis of dynamical systems. The emphasis will be on dynamics that model real world phenomena.
A list of software for dynamics—much of it free—is at <http:// amath.colorado.edu/faculty/jdm/faq-[5].html>. I will use a Macintosh (or iPad) for classroom demonstrations, and extensively use the software Maple and Matlab. Maple is available for a reduced price of $75 through a special arrangement with maplesoft.