Phys 180/280: Nonlinear Dynamics

University of California, Merced

Fall 2014

Instructor: Kevin Mitchell Office: S&E 330 Email: kmitchell@ucmerced.edu

Phone: (209)201-3471 Office hour: TBA

Class times: Lecture: TBD, Discussion: TBD

Text: Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos by Steven Strogatz. We intend to cover the majority of this
book plus special topics as time permits.

Prerequisites: It is presumed that all students in this course have taken lower-division classical
mechanics (PHYS 8, 8H, or 18), vector calculus (MATH 23), and differential equations (MATH 24).

Overview: Most processes encountered in nature are inherently nonlinear. This course intro-
duces the main topics of low-dimensional nonlinear systems, with applications to a wide variety
of disciplines, including physics, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, and biology. Specific topics
include maps and flows in one and two dimensions, phase portraits, bifurcations, chaos, and fractals.

Course learning outcomes (CLOs): By the end of the course...

1. Students will be able to analyze the behavior of dynamical systems (e.g. find periodic orbits
and assess their stability, draw phase portraits, etc.) expressed as either a discrete-time
mapping or a continuous-time flow.

2. Students will be able to apply the techniques of nonlinear dynamics to physical processes
drawn from a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines.

3. Students will be able to analyze changes (i.e. bifurcations) to dynamical systems as system
parameters are varied.

4. (For students taking PHYS 280, the graduate version of this course, only) Students will be
able to independently research topics in nonlinear dynamics and synthesize this work into
coherent written and oral presentations.

Rough outline:

• Flows on a line or circle

• Flows in the plane

• Maps on a line or circle

• Maps in the plane

• Bifurcations
 • Chaos

• Fractals and strange attractors

Time permitting, we may cover some special topics.

Discussion sections: The purpose of the weekly discussion sections is primarily to help you with
problem solving. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions about the assigned homework
or any other material in the course. This often leads to lively discussions, and should not be missed!

Homework: Each week you will receive a set of homework questions. These problem sets are
designed to be both challenging and rewarding. They are critical to honing your understanding
and proficiency with the material. You are allowed one free late homework during the semester,
at no penalty. Late homework can be turned in no later than one week late. This is to
allow solutions to be posted in a timely manner.

Finally, you are encouraged to work together on solving the problem sets. However, all work that
you turn in should be your own writeup, written in your own words.

Grading: Your grade will be based on a midterm exam (25 %), final exam (40 %), and the graded
homework (35 %).

Graduate version: Those students enrolled in PHYS 280 will be required to complete a term
paper on an advanced topic and to give a class lecture based on their paper. The paper and lecture
will account for 20 % of their grade, with homework reduced to 15 %.

UCM Crops: The UCM Crops site “F14-PHYS 180” will be used for periodic course announce-
ments, and for the distribution of weekly homework sets, solutions, and class notes. You should
make sure that you can access this site and that you are familiar with its contents. Warning:
The Crops site may generate its own letter grade throughout the semester. However,
you should pay no attention to any letter grade that is reported on Crops, except for
the final course grade.

Accommodations for students with disabilities: The University of California Merced is com-
mitted to ensuring equal academic opportunities and inclusion for students with disabilities based
on the principles of independent living, accessible universal design and diversity. I am available to
discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities.
Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of the semester,
except for unusual circumstances. Students are encouraged to register with the Disability Services
Center to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations.

Academic honesty: As with any course, students are expected to abide by the UC Merced aca-
demic honesty policy, which can be found on the Student Life website http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/
under the “judicial affairs” link. As mentioned above, you are encouraged to work together on learn-
ing the material in this class, including working together to understand the homework problems.
However, all work that you turn in should be your own writeup, written in your own words.
Graduate Physics Program Learning Outcomes: PHYS 280 will address the following grad-
uate Physics PLOs.

PLO 1) Possess a broad foundation in the fundamentals of physics and a deep understanding of
their chosen subfield, which will permit them to understand and critically evaluate current research.

The first three course learning outcomes (CLOs) above directly address this graduate PLO.

PLO 2) Have the experimental, theoretical, and/or computational skills necessary to conduct in-
dependent responsible research and contribute to knowledge in their chosen subfield.

The first three course learning outcomes also address this graduate PLO. In addition, the fourth
course learning outcome reinforces the students’ research skills.

PLO 4) Communicate both fundamental concepts of physics and details of their own research effec-
tively, in written and oral form, to expert and non-expert audiences. This includes the publication
of original research results in peer reviewed scientific journals.

The fourth course learning outcome addresses this graduate PLO.