INSTITUT TECHNOLOGY MARA

COURSE INFORMATION
Confidential

Code

MAT612

Course

Partial Differential Equation

Level

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Mathematics

Credit Unit

Contact Hour

Part

Course Status

Core

Prerequisite

Intro to Numerical Analysis, Calculus III, Differential Equations,

Linear Algebra

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Course Description

gain insight into the modeling process of a variety of systems

represented by PDEs.

use mathematical software competently as a problem solving

and visualizing tool in tackling PDE problems.

develop an intuitive understanding of the physical processes

through mathematical investigations.

This is an introductory partial differential equation (PDE) course,

which emphasizes on the computational and modeling aspects of
science and engineering.

Department of Mathematics
Faculty Of Technology and Quantitative Sciences
Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Mathematics)
@ Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi Mara

Year 2007
Page 1

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the students should be

able to:

Classify a given PDE into its various categories.

Express and interpret simple heat and wave problems into

parabolic, hyperbolic or elliptic BVPs vice versa

Solve classical BVPs problems analytically using the SOV

method.

Implement mathematical software (MAPLE) as a problem

solving and visualizing tool in tackling BVPs problems.

Solve classical BVPs problems numerically using finite

difference schemes.

Conduct, write and present a project carried out

independently in a small group related to the BVP at the
end of the course.

Realize the significance of the course in real-life problems

related to heat and wave in nature.

Department of Mathematics
Faculty Of Technology and Quantitative Sciences
Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Mathematics)
@ Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi Mara

Year 2007
Page 2

SYLLABUS CONTENTS
No.

Topic

1.0 Introduction
Classification of pdes
Examples of pde
Nondimensionalization
2.0

First order linear pde

Analytical methods
Numerical methods

3.0

Parabolic equation
One dimensional heat equation
Homogeneous problem
The semi-homogeneous problem
Sturm-Liouville problem

Two
-

dimensional heat flow

Rectangular regions R
The homogeneous case
The semi-homogeneous problem

4.0

Hyperbolic equation waves in elastic material

Strings: 1-D elastic material
Membranes: 2-Dimensional elastic material

5.0

The Heat Initial Boundary Value Problem in Polar Coordinates

The Laplacian, BC and IC in Polar Coordinates
Heat IVBP and homogeneous problem for a disk
Heat equation and homogeneous problem for an annulus
BVPs in Polar Coordinates

6.0

Finite difference numerical methods

First and second order equations in two dimensions.

Methods of Instruction
The course will be conducted through formal, structured lectures, with class time allotted for
questions and discussions. There will be a three-hour lecture and one hour tutorial/
computer laboratory session each week.

Department of Mathematics
Faculty Of Technology and Quantitative Sciences
Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Mathematics)
@ Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi Mara

Year 2007
Page 3

Assessment
Continuous Assessment
Final Examination (3 hours)

:
:

50%
50%

Total

100%

References
1. Zill, D.G. & Cullen, M. R. 2005. Differential Equations with Boundary Value
Problems. 6th.Edition. Thomson Brooks/Cole.
2. Boyce, E.W., DiPrima, R.C. 2002. Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary
Value Problems. 7th. Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3. Constanda, C. 2002. Solution Techniques for Elementary Partial Differential
Equations. Chapman and Hall.
4. Keane, M.K. 2002. A Very Applied First Course in PDE. Prentice Hall.
5. Kreyszig, E. 2006. Advanced Engineering Mathematics. .John Wiley & Sons Inc.
6. Farlow, S.J. 1982. Partial Differential Equations for Scientists & Engineers. John
Wiley & Sons Inc.
7. Smith, G.D. 1985. Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations: Finite
Difference Methods.3rd Edition. Clarendon Press Oxford.

Department of Mathematics
Faculty Of Technology and Quantitative Sciences
Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Mathematics)
@ Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi Mara

Year 2007
Page 4