Math 574 - The Finite Element Method - Spring 2006
Spring 2006 - TR 9:40-10:55 - Ayres 316
Course Information:
This course is an introduction to the Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving
partial differential equations. The main focus of the course will be
the mathematical theory for FEM, however, a significant portion of the
course will cover computer implementation of the method.
The ideal background for a student wanting to get the most out of this
course would include an understanding of numerical analysis (e.g. Math 471)
and numerical linear algebra (e.g. Math 472 or 571), a knowledge of
partial differential equations (e.g. Math 453, 512 or 535-6),
some mathematical maturity (e.g. a course in analysis), and programming
experience. The minimum requirments would be some knowledge of PDEs
and numerical methods, a good background in calculus and some programming
experience.
Resources:
- Text: Finite Elements, by Dietrich Braess, Cambridge, 2001.
Assignments:
The FEM breaks the solution process into
several manageable pieces and so to learn the FEM you'll need to
have a chance to practice working with those pieces. This will
be done in the homework. You also need practice putting all the pieces
together and actually seeing how the method works. This will
be done in the projects.
- Homework: 10 points per problem, assigned irregularly from the book and
other sources
- Projects: 100 points each, 2 or 3 assigned during the semester, include
some programming
- Final Project: 200 points, due at the end of the course, more details
later
Instructor:
Charles Collins
312B Ayres Hall
974-4269 or 974-2461
ccollins@math.utk.edu
Office Hours: M 3-4, TR 11-12
ccollins@math.utk.edu
Last Modified: January 12, 2006