For additional information email/call me or visit the course homepage http://www.ipr.umd.edu/~wlosert/phys715/

Professor:    Wolfgang Losert
Office:             A.V. Williams  Rm 3359
Office phone:  405-0629
Lab:                Energy Research Bldg Rm 0101
Lab phone:      405-6759
Email:          wlosert@glue.umd.edu

Lecture    M, W 3:00-4:15 pm  in Phys 1219.
Office hours: after class, or email/drop by

Suggested Textbooks:
        Ott, Chaos in Dynamical Systems
        Strogatz, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos - Paperback version available!!

Course Description
Nonlinear terms enter into equations for many systems, e.g. the weather, lasers, fluids, or biological systems.  The dynamics of such systems can be very complex, often with a very sensitive dependence on the chosen initial conditions (an indication of chaos).  Still many - often surprisingly general - principles can be used to describe nonlinear dynamics and chaos.  This course will cover the theoretical foundations, numerical techniques, and some current applications of chaos and nonlinear dynamics.  Covered topics include strange attractors, Lyapunov exponents, quasiperiodicity, period doubling, intermittency, crises, fractal basin boundaries, chaotic scattering, KAM tori, and quantum chaos.  Applications include pattern formation, chaos control, and synchronization.

Course requirements

Homework
Homework is due each Monday at 3pm, before class.

Paper
A paper about a current topic in nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos must be submitted at the end of the semester.  The topic can be chosen from any field where nonlinear dynamics plays an important role.  Please discuss your paper topic with me.  You may choose to address the topic as a theoretical problem, or through simulations.  Additional credit is given for web-posting of papers.  The paper will include a brief in class presentation and discussion of the topic.

Exams
There will be two exams: One midterm and one final comprehensive exam.

Grading

Midterm:    15%
Final exam:    20%
Homework and class participation:     30%
Paper:     35%
Homework turned in late will receive less credit. You will receive 2/3 credit if the work is turned in within one week of the due date, and 1/3 credit if it is turned in before the end of classes.