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Unit information: Complex Function Theory (34) in 2017/18

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Unit name Complex Function Theory (34)
Unit code MATHM3000
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Professor. Grava
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

MATH 20200 Metric Spaces

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Mathematics
Faculty Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Unit aims

To impart an understanding of Complex Function Theory, and facility in its application.

General Description of the Unit

Complex function theory is a remarkably beautiful piece of pure mathematics, and at the same time an indispensable tool in number theory and in many fields of applied mathematics and mathematical methods.

Of central interest are mappings of the complex plane into itself which are differentiable. The property of differentiability alone is enough to guarantee that the function can be represented locally in a power series, in stark contrast to the real-variable theory. This shows that complex analysis is in some ways simpler than real analysis.

The integration theory for complex differentiable functions is highly geometric in nature. Moreover, it provides powerful tools for evaluating real integrals and series. The logarithm and square-root functions on the complex plane are multiple-valued; we shall briefly indicate how they can be seen as single-valued when considered to live on the associated Riemann surface.

The theory of conformal transformations is of great importance in the geometrical theory of differential equations, and has interesting applications in potential theory and fluid dynamics; we shall outline the beginnings of these.

Relation to Other Units

This unit aims for rigorous justification, development and extension of material which has been introduced in the complex function theory part of Calculus 2. Students should have a good knowledge of first year analysis and second year calculus courses.

The unit is based on the same lectures as Complex Function Theory 3, but with additional material. It is therefore not available to students who have taken, or are taking, Complex Function Theory 3.

Additional unit information can be found at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html

Intended Learning Outcomes

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit students should:

  • be able to recall all definitions and main results,
  • be able to give an outline proof of all results,
  • be able to give detailed proofs of less involved results,
  • be able to apply the theory in standard situations,
  • be able to use the ideas of the unit in unseen situations,
  • Transferable Skills
  • Logical analysis and problem solving.

Teaching Information

Lecture course of 30 lectures, with weekly exercise sheets to be done by students. This part of the course is shared with 3rd year students taking CFT3.

Assessment Information

100% Examination

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.

Reading and References

Reading and references are available at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html

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