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Welcome - Jan 2

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

I hope you had a fun, but safe, New Year break. In ten days we will be starting the Spring Semester - You are currently registered at this time for MAT 367. In case you want to get started, or are wondering what we may be doing, checkout http://people.uncw.edu/hermanr/mat367, the course web site. You will find a syllabus at that site and an idea as to what I will expect.

The first assignment will be to email me with whatever you wish to tell me and how we can establish communication as soon as possible. I am interested in your success in the course and to make sure you know what I expect. Class is at 8:00 am three days a week and I expect you to be there! Also, I expect that you will be thinking about my class more than just three mornings a week! I will have standing office hours, but I will also answer emails and/or set up additional appointments if possible (See http://people.uncw.edu/hermanr/contact.htm), and do what I can to help you through the course. Anything else you might want to know about me you can find out through my web site - http://people.uncw.edu/hermanr/.

It is important to get into reading ahead, starting homework right away, and making a habit of visiting my office in Sartarelli Hall. Do not start working on homework the night before it is due or you will not get it done on time. Start early in case you have questions (which you will!). I expect you to come by often (ST 2007J) throughout the semester for helpful hints. I hope we have an enjoyable semester. Of course, you need to get the text as soon as possible because class begins Monday, January 12 at 8:00 AM.

The text is An Introduction to Fourier Analysis, 2016 by Dr. R. L. Herman. You can find different options for purchase at this site or through Amazon. I found a preview. preview There is an old version of the text to get you started, but is shorter and cannot be relied upon for assignments.

Note: Up until the current catalogue, this course has been called Principles of Applied Mathematics. In the new catalogue it is called Methods of Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers. It is the same course.

Essentially, we will study Fourier series, orthogonal functions, Fourier and Laplace transforms and their applications. We will begin with a review of sequences and series and at some point introduce complex variables and residue theory. Historically, that virtually any function could be represented as a sum or integral of sines and cosines, attributed to Joseph Fourier in the early 1800s, lead to the solution of differential equations, drove the development of modern rigorous mathematical analysis, and has made possible a vast array of modern technologies, including audio compression (MP3), image processing (JPEG), medical imaging (MRI), and global communication networks.

Feel free to bring more people to class. We have plenty of seats and you might want to encourage people to take this class.

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