Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos - A Toolbox for Complex Systems Research

PHYCS420 UIUC MWF 11:00-11:50 (Section A), MWF 9:30-10:20 (Section B)

Alfred W. Hubler
Office Hour Tu 11am-noon, 4-125 ESB, 244-5892 (w) 328-7701 (h), 417-5286 (cell)

This course provides a broad introduction to the nonlinear dynamics of physical systems with varying degrees of complexity. We will survey a variety of concepts associated with (but not limited to) bifurcation phenomena, mappings & difference equations, strange attractors, nonlinear oscillations, chaotic behavior, adaptive systems & adaption to the edge of chaos, control of chaos, symbolic sequences, biomechanics and singular motion, entrainment, dissipative systems, nonlinear signal processing, catastrophes, adaptive computation, evolutionary dynamics, traffic jams, Markov processes, Brownian motors & rachets, and universal scaling.

We willinvestigate models of dynamical systems drawn from physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, economics, finance, and sociology.

In addition students receive a hands-on introduction in programing HTML, PERL, advanced PERL, Perl examples and JAVA.

There is a homework assignment at most lectures.

The course grade is detetermined from homework (40%), three hour exams (10% each), and a final exam (30%). There is up to 10% extra credit for extra credit homework problems. There is up to 20% extra credit for a semester project. The semester project includes weekly meetings and a term paper. Topics for the semester project are listed here.

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Lecture Notes
Student Directories
Student Directories (Spring 03)
Homework Overview
Equation Sheet
Recommended Books
TA Office Hours
Exam Dates