NONLINEAR PATTERNS - 2023/4

Module code: MATM031

Module Overview

Regular patterns arise naturally in many physical and biological systems, from hexagonal convection cells on the surface of the sun to stripes on a zebra's back. This course provides a basic framework for understanding the formation and evolution of these patterns using ordinary and partial differential equations and group theory.

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

BRIDGES Tom (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 79

Lecture Hours: 33

Seminar Hours: 5

Captured Content: 33

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

MAT2048 Groups & Rings, MAT2011 Linear PDEs or PHY2065

Module content

Indicative content includes:



  • a review of flows and stationary points of ordinary differential equations, moving on to the concepts of centre manifolds and bifurcations. Simple bifurcations will be described and classified.


  • group theoretic methods for analysing pattern-forming systems. Patterns on lattices and in boxes will be studied using symmetry groups. The Equivariant Branching Lemma and representations of groups will be covered.

  • The module will conclude with the description of spatially-modulated patterns in terms of envelope equations. The Ginzburg-Landau equation will be derived and used to study the properties of stripes.



 

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
School-timetabled exam/test In-semester test (50 mins) 20
Examination Exam (2 hrs) 80

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate



  • Subject knowledge through the recall of key definitions, theorems and methods.


  • Analytical ability through the solution of unseen problems in the test and exam.



 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:



  • One final examination worth 80% of the module mark.


  • One in-semester test worth 20% of the module mark.



 

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive written feedback via two marked coursework assignments over an 11 week period.  In addition, verbal feedback is provided by lecturer/class tutor at seminars and weekly tutorial lectures.

 

Module aims

  • To become familiar with a range of symmetry-based techniques for describing the behaviour of regular patterns that occur in nature or in laboratory experiments.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Be able to locate and classify codimension-one bifurcations of ordinary differential equations KC
002 Be familiar with the concept of a centre manifold K
003 Be able to identify the symmetry group relevant to simple pattern formation problems and use the Equivariant Branching Lemma in simple cases KC
004 Understand how to describe patterns using amplitude equations, and be able to find solutions of these equations in simple cases KC
005 Understand how to describe spatially modulated patterns using envelope equations, and be able to find solutions of these equations in simple cases KC

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide:

- A detailed introduction to nonlinear patterns and their analysis

- Experience (through demonstration) of the methods used to analyse, understand and solve problems involving nonlinear patterns.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:



  • 3 x 1 hour lectures per week x 11 weeks, with projector-displayed written notes to supplement the module handbook and Q + A opportunities for students.



 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MATM031

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Mathematics and Physics MPhys 1 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Mathematics and Physics MMath 1 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Mathematics MSc 1 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Mathematics MMath 1 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.