INSTRUCTION DIVISION, FIRST SEMESTER 20142015

Course Handout Part II

Date : 09.12.2014
In addition to Part I (General Handout for all courses appended to the Time Table), this portion
gives further specific details regarding the course.
Course No.
Course Title
Instructor-in-charge
Instructor

:
:
:
:

PHY C 332
Methods of Mathematical Physics I
Dr Kartick Tarafder
Dr Kartick Tarafder

Course Description :
This course deals with some of the mathematical methods which are used in many branches of
theoretical physics.
Scope and Objective :
MMP I is a course on mathematical methods used in physics. The emphasis will be on
understanding the general principles and on methods which have not been covered in the various
core Mathematics courses which the student has already undergone. Applications cover a wide
range of physical problems.
Text Books:
Mathematical Methods for Physicists: Arfken, Weber, Harris, 7 th edition, Academic Press,
2012.
Reference Books:
R1. Mathematical Methods in Classical and Quantum Physics, Tulsi Dass and Satish K
Sharma, Universities Press, 1998
R2. Tensor Analysis, Schaums outline on theory and problems of tensor calculus. Tata
Mcgraw Hill.
R3. Introduction to Vector Spaces in Physics, K.A.I.L. Wijewardena Gamalath,
Cambridge University Press
Course Plan:
Sections referred to are from the text book unless stated otherwise.
Lectur
e No.
1
2-9

Learning Objectives
Introduction
Complex Analysis

Topics to be Covered

Reference

Stereographic projection, Analytic

functions,
Cauchys
theorem,

Chapter
11,
R1

10-14

Fourier Transform

15-20

Partial
equations

21-25

Greens functions

26-35

Matrices, Vector Spaces,

Linear Operators.

36-39

Tensors

40

Special topics

Differential

Jordans lemma,
Evaluation of
integrals, gamma function
Definition and Properties of Fourier
Transform, Convolution Theorem
and Applications
Examples of PDEs: Continuity
equation, diffusion equation, Wave
equation, Poisson and Laplace
equation, Seperation of Variables,
Boundary conditions.
One
dimensional
and
multi
dimensional
inhomogeneous
solutions
Matrix Properties, Levi Civita
symbol, Hermitian,
Orthogonal
Matrices, Vector spaces, Norms and
Inner products, Gram Schmidt
Orthogonalisation,
Similarity
transformations, diagonalisation
Covariant, contravariant tensors,
invariants

chapter 4
Chapter
20,
R1
chapter 9.
Chapter 9.

Chapter
10
Chapter
1,2,3,4 of
R3

R2:
Chapter
1,2,3

Evaluation Scheme:
EC
No.
1
2
3
4
5

Component

Duration

Test 1
Test 2
Take home
Surprise tests
Comprehensive
exam

1 hour
1 hour
3 hours

Weighta
ge
(%)
20
20
20
10
30

Date & time

Nature
Closed Book
Closed book
Open book
Closed Book
Closed Book

A total of 3 surprise tests will be conducted from time to time (either during the lecture or the
tutorial hour) to monitor students continuous participation in the course. Out of the 3 surprise
tests, the best two performances will be considered for evaluation.
Chamber Consultation Hours: To be announced in the class.
Notices: Will be displayed on the Physics department notice board and announced in class only.
Make-up Policy: Make-up will be given only in genuine cases, that is, illness leading to
hospitalization or going out of station with prior permission. No make-ups for the take home.
Instructor-in-charge

PHY C332