F20: Dynamical Systems

This course was taught remotely (via Zoom) in Fall 2020.  Find course materials in this github repository.

 

Asynchronous elements of the course

Flipped course: pre-class assignments

APMTH 108 is a "flipped" course, meaning that students prepare ahead of synchronous meetings.  The preparation consists of

  • Reading the course text and/or watching ~45 minutes of (segmented) videos
  • Completing a "Check yourself" self-check quiz related to the content of the readings/videos
  • Making a discussion board post

These pre-class assignments are assigned ahead of most Mondays and Wednesdays during the semester.  In addition, there is a pre-class assignment for the first Friday of the semester.

Skill checks

To help students progress in building the fundamental factual and procedural skills of dynamical systems, there are regular short skill checks in this course.  These are completed on your own paper (or on the skill check handout using a tablet and stylus), and are uploaded to Gradescope.  Skill checks are marked Sat/Unsat and there is one opportunity to retake them.

Problem sets

There are ~9 weekly problem sets, due on Fridays.  There is not a pre-class assignment for Fridays.

Quizzes

There are two quizzes.  These are scheduled for Monday Sept 28th and Monday Oct 19th, so class will not meet on those days (and there will be no pre-class assignment).  The quizzes will be self-administered via Canvas, with your written work uploaded to Gradescope.

System analysis

Rather than having a timed exam on 1d and 2d nonlinear dynamical systems, students will work individually to analyze a 2d system, submitting a written report of their analysis along with a Mathematica (or Python) notebook documenting their numerical work.  After receiving feedback, students will have an opportunity to revise their report.

Project

The final project is usually completed in a team.  Students will provide preferences to course staff to assist in team formation.  Deliverables include weekly work logs documenting individual efforts on the project (as well as team meetings), a progress report (in the form of a short presentation), and a final presentation.