2026 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 4041.001 Partial Differential Equations

Course Title:

 Partial Differential Equations

Course Credits:

3

Course Mode:

Virtual

Course Days and Time:

TR 9:30am-10:50am

Course Room:

via Zoom

Course Instructor:
Mihaela Ignatova
Instructor Email:
ignatova@temple.edu
Instructor Office:

Wachman 532

Office Hours:

TBA and by appointment

Course Materials:

Walter A. Strauss, Partial Differential Equations: An Introduction, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2008

Course grading scheme:

The course grade will be based on weekly homework, two take-home exams, and participation (50% + 20% + 20% + 10%). No final exam. For the weekly homework assignments, you are strongly encouraged to work in groups. But you must write the solutions in your own words, after all discussions with classmates (or others) are over. No late homework is accepted. But the lowest homework score (possibly zero) will be omitted in computing your homework average. You must work alone on the take-home exams, but are allowed to consult any book, and with me (only). For both homework and exams, I will require a clean and clear presentation of your work.

Course prerequisites:

Math 2101 and Math 3051 or Math 3045 with grades of C- or higher or transfer credit for these courses

Course goals:

You will learn the derivations of the classical partial differential equations of mathematical physics. You will understand the initial and boundary value problems that you can pose for these equations and be able to solve them in special cases. You will also understand how to use some advanced calculus ideas to solve PDEs. These will include Hilbert spaces, orthonormal basis, and Fourier series

Topics covered:

This course introduces students to partial differential equations, emphasizing the wave, diffusion and Laplace's equations. The focus is on understanding the physical meaning and mathematical properties of solutions of partial differential equations. Methods include fundamental solutions and transform methods for problems on the line, and separation of variables using orthogonal series for problems in regions with boundary. Convergence of Fourier series

Exam dates:

Due dates for take-home exams: February 26, April 23.

Attendance policy:

Mandatory

Technology Specifications for this Course:
Computer with internet access for the zoom meetings.
Attendance and Your Health:

To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to the course requirements. However, if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, you should not come to campus or attend in-person  classes or activities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as you are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.

Expectations for Class Conduct :

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. 

Disability Statement:

Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

Academic Freedom:

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here (opens in new tab/window).

Add/Drop Policy:

Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates.

 

During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).

AI Policy:

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

Incomplete Policy:

The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).

Student Support Services:

The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window): 
    The Math Consulting Center 
    Student Success Center 
    University Libraries 
    Undergraduate Research Support 
    Career Center 
    Tuttleman Counseling Services 
    Disability Resources and Services 
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.

Year
Semester
Course
Section
Course Extra
Title
Attendance and Your Health
Description

To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to the course requirements. However, if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, you should not come to campus or attend in-person  classes or activities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as you are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.

Title
Expectations for Class Conduct
Description

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. 

Title
Disability Statement
Description

Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

Title
Academic Freedom
Description

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here (opens in new tab/window).

Title
Add/Drop Policy
Description

Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates.

 

During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).

Title
AI Policy
Description

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

Title
Incomplete Policy
Description

The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).

Title
Student Support Services
Description

The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window): 
    The Math Consulting Center 
    Student Success Center 
    University Libraries 
    Undergraduate Research Support 
    Career Center 
    Tuttleman Counseling Services 
    Disability Resources and Services 
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.

Course title

 Partial Differential Equations

Course credits

3

Course mode

Virtual

Course Days and Time

TR 9:30am-10:50am

Course room

via Zoom

Your office

Wachman 532

Your office hours

TBA and by appointment

Course materials

Walter A. Strauss, Partial Differential Equations: An Introduction, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2008

Course grading scheme

The course grade will be based on weekly homework, two take-home exams, and participation (50% + 20% + 20% + 10%). No final exam. For the weekly homework assignments, you are strongly encouraged to work in groups. But you must write the solutions in your own words, after all discussions with classmates (or others) are over. No late homework is accepted. But the lowest homework score (possibly zero) will be omitted in computing your homework average. You must work alone on the take-home exams, but are allowed to consult any book, and with me (only). For both homework and exams, I will require a clean and clear presentation of your work.

Course prerequisites

Math 2101 and Math 3051 or Math 3045 with grades of C- or higher or transfer credit for these courses

Course goals

You will learn the derivations of the classical partial differential equations of mathematical physics. You will understand the initial and boundary value problems that you can pose for these equations and be able to solve them in special cases. You will also understand how to use some advanced calculus ideas to solve PDEs. These will include Hilbert spaces, orthonormal basis, and Fourier series

Description of topics covered

This course introduces students to partial differential equations, emphasizing the wave, diffusion and Laplace's equations. The focus is on understanding the physical meaning and mathematical properties of solutions of partial differential equations. Methods include fundamental solutions and transform methods for problems on the line, and separation of variables using orthogonal series for problems in regions with boundary. Convergence of Fourier series

Exam dates

Due dates for take-home exams: February 26, April 23.

Attendance Policy

Mandatory

Technology Specifications for this Course
Computer with internet access for the zoom meetings.
Course Instructor
Mihaela Ignatova
Instructor Email
ignatova@temple.edu