Logo

Equations in Partial Derivatives

Code: 104401
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Computational Mathematics and Data Analytics OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Angel Calsina Ballesta
Email :
angel.calsina@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Carles Barril Basil

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is convenient that the student has already passed the subjects Ordinary differential equacions and Calculus in more than one variable

Objectives

Partial differential equations are a fundamental tool in deterministic modeling of problems in physics, engineering, biology, medicine or finance, among others. The objective of the course is a first introduction to these equations both from an analytical and numerical point of view. We will start with the first order equations by first studying the most basic aspects of the characteristics method for quasi-linear equations. Some of the applications of these models, such as the traffic equation, will be used to visualize the difficulties of modeling and the appearance of weak solutions. Later, the "typical" second order linear equations of mathematical physics will be studied: wave, heat and Laplace. As with ordinary differential equations, in very few cases there are closed formulas available for solving partial differential equations, which is why numerical methods are required to approximate the solutions. In this course, the finite difference method will be introduced as a numerical approximation of the solutions of some of the equations studied.

Learning outcomes

  • KM10 (Describe the mathematical concepts and objects of differential equations and numerical methods.) Describe the mathematical concepts and objects of differential equations and numerical methods.
  • KM11 (Devise demonstrations of mathematical results of numerical calculus and numerical integration of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations.) Devise demonstrations of mathematical results of numerical calculus and numerical integration of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations.
  • SM11 (Numerically integrate ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations.) Numerically integrate ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations.

Contents


 1. Introduction and first definitions.


2. First order partial differential equations.
Linear and quasilinear PDEs with two variables. The transport equation. Characteristics Method. Application to structured population dynamics.
Conservation laws.  Bürgers equation and traffic equation. Rarefaction waves, weak solutions and shocks. Entropy conditions.
Finite difference method for hyperbolic equations.


Topic 3. The wave equation.
Vibrating string equation. D'Alembert's formula. Domain of dependence and domain of influence.
The vibrating membrane. Linear waves in electromagnetism. Explicit formulas of the solution in dimensions 2 and 3.



Topic 4. The heat equation.
The heat equation. Linear diffusion. Existence of solution for Cauchy's problem: Poisson's formula.
The maximum principle: uniqueness of solution.
Finite differences for the heat equation.

Item 5. The potential equation.
Harmonic functions. The Dirichlet and Neumann problems. Green functions.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Seminars 10 0.4
Problem solving and practices 40 1.6
Study 55 2.2
Practical classes 12 0.48
Theory lessons 27 1.08

This course consists of two hours of theory class per week. In addition, there will be 10 hours of seminar where exercises posed by the teacher in lists of problems that will be provided throughout the course will be solved. There will be 12 hours of practical classes that will be devoted mainly to the approximate calculation of solutions of partial differential equations using the finite differences method. All the material and all the necessary information for the development of the subject will be provided in the Virtual Campus.


Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Practice Delivery 35% 0 0 KM10, KM11, SM11
Partial Exam 25% 3 0.12 KM10, KM11, SM11
Final exam 40% 3 0.12 KM10, KM11, SM11

The following evaluation activities will be carried out:


Partial exam (EP). Exam with theoretical questions and problems similar to those worked on during the course.

Final Exam (EF). Exam of the whole subject with theoretical questions and problems similar to those worked on during the course.

Practice mark (PR). The result of the program and a written test on the practices will be evaluated.



In addition, students will be able to take a recovery exam (ER) with the same characteristics as the exam (EF). The practice mark will not be recoverable.

It is a requirement to pass the subject that max (0.35 * EP + 0.65 * EF, EF, ER)> = 3.5 and that PR> = 3.5. In case the student does not meet these conditions, the final grade will be 3.5.



The final grade for the course will be

0.65 * max (0.35 * EP + 0.65 * EF, EF, ER) + 0.35 PR

The honors will be awarded in the first evaluation in which the subject can be passed.


A student who has participated in assessment activities corresponding to less than 50% of the grade according to the established weight will be considered non-evaluable.


Students who have taken the single assessment modality must take the subject's final exam (EF) on the same date as students taking the continuous assessment. This test will account for 65% of the grade. On this same date, the project and practices report will be evaluated and, if the teacher requires it, an oral evaluation of the practices will be carried out.. If the final grade is lower than 5, the student can take the recovery exam (ER) with the same characteristics as the exam (EF). The practice grade will not be recoverable. It is a requirement to pass the subject that max(EF, ER)>=3.5 and that PR>=3.5.


In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution by the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. Non-transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.


No electronic means may be used in the EP, EF, ER exams.


Bibliography

- Y. Pinchover and J. Rubinstein. An introduction to partial differential equations. 2005.

- I. Peral, Primer Curso de EDPs, Addison-Wesley/UAM, 1995.

- L. C. Evans, Partial Differential Equations, Graduate Studies in
  Mathematics 19, AMS, 1998.

- S. Salsa, Partial Differential  Equations in action: from modelling to theory, Springer, 2008.

- F. John, Partial Differential Equations, Springer-Verlag, 1980.

- W. A. Strauss, Partial Differential Equations: An Introduction,
  John Wiley \\& Sons, 1992.

-  J. C. Strikwerda, Finite Difference Schemes and Partial
Differential Equations, SIAM 2004.

- R. Haberman. Mathematical Models: Mechanical Vibrations, Population
Dynamics, and Traffic Flow. 1998.

Software

The practice delivery will be done in R but it might be allowed to use other programming languages.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed