| Unit name | Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 4 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATHM6206 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Koivusalo |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites | |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Unit Aims
The course will provide an introduction to subject of dynamical systems, from a pure-mathematical point of view. The first part of the course will be driven by examples so that students will become familiar with various basic models of dynamical systems. We will then develop the mathematical background and the main concepts in topological dynamics, symbolic dynamics and ergodic theory. We will also show applications to other areas of pure mathematics and concrete problems as Internet search.
Unit Description
Dynamical systems is an exciting and very active field in pure and applied mathematics, that involves tools and techniques from many areas such as analysis, geometry and number theory. A dynamical system can be obtained by iterating a function or letting evolve in time the solution of equation. Even if the rule of evolution is deterministic, the long term behavior of the system is often chaotic. Different branches of dynamical systems, in particular ergodic theory, provide tools to quantify this chaotic behaviour and predict it in average.
At the beginning of this lecture course we will give a strong emphasis on presenting many fundamental examples of dynamical systems, such as circle rotations, the baker map on the square and the continued fraction map. Driven by the examples, we will introduce some of the phenomena and main concepts which one is interested in studying.
In the second part of the course, we will formalize these concepts and cover the basic definitions and some fundamental theorems and results in topological dynamics, in symbolic dynamics and in particular in ergodic theory. We will give full proofs of some of the main theorems.
During the course we will also mention some applications both to other areas of mathematics, such as number theory, and to very concrete problems as data storage and Internet search engines.
Relation to Other Units
This is a double-badged version of Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 3, sharing the lectures but with differentiated problems and exam. This unit may not be taken by students who have taken Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 3.
Ergodic Theory has connections with Analysis, Number Theory, Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Chaos.
Students who took MATH20006 Metric Spaces will benefit from some familiarity with metric spaces, but students who did not will be provided with basic notions in metric spaces and measure theory.
This unit will provide a a pure-mathematical complementary perspective to the Dynamics & Chaos unit in applied dynamical systems offered by the Engineering Mathematics Department.
By the end of the unit the student :
Transferable Skills:
Assimilation of abstract ideas and reasoning in an abstract context. Problem solving and ability to work out model examples.
The unit will be taught through a combination of
90% Timed, open-book examination 10% Coursework
Raw scores on the examinations will be determined according to the marking scheme written on the examination paper. The marking scheme, indicating the maximum score per question, is a guide to the relative weighting of the questions. Raw scores are moderated as described in the Undergraduate Handbook. Note that the assessed coursework and the final examination will be in part different than the examination for Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 3.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MATHM6206).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
