Course syllabus for Dynamical systems

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-07 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameDynamiska system
  • CodeTIF155
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPCAS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Physics
  • DepartmentPHYSICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 11118
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH
0 c7.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 17 Jan 2025 pm J
  • 15 Apr 2025 am J
  • 20 Aug 2025 am J

In programmes

Examiner

Go to coursepage (Opens in new tab)

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Sufficient knowledge of Mathematics (analysis in one real variable, linear algebra), basic programming skills.

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical aspects arising in the analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems. The primary focus lies on investigating the various possible long-term solutions of such systems, and how these change when the parameters of the system change. Special attention is dedicated to chaotic solutions through the introduction of methods to detect chaotic dynamics and how it can be characterized. Throughout the course, students will gain insights into the practical utility of dynamical systems in different areas such as physics, biology, and economics.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • understand and explain key concepts in regular dynamical systems
  • perform linear stability analysis, and understand its limitations
  • analyze qualitative changes in the system as control parameters change (bifurcations)
  • understand and explain the key concepts used in describing deterministic chaos in non-linear systems
  • efficiently simulate dynamical systems on a computer
  • numerically compute Lyapunov exponents and fractal dimensions
  • efficiently search for periodic orbits and determine their stabilities
  • recognize and analyse chaotic dynamics in initially unfamiliar contexts
  • present numerical results graphically in a clear and concise manner
  • communicate results and conclusions in a clear and logical fashion

Content

    Regular dynamics
  • Continuous flows
  • Fixed points and stability analysis
  • Characterisation of linear and non-linear flows
  • Bifurcations och structural stability
  • Index theory
  • Periodic motion, limit cycles and relaxation oscillators
    Chaotic dynamics
  • Lyapunov exponents
  • Strange attractors
  • Fractal dimension, fractals in physical systems
  • Transitions to chaos
    Chaos and regular dynamics in Hamiltonian systems

Organisation

Lectures, sets of homework problems, examples classes, and written exam.

Literature

Lecture notes will be made available.
Course book: Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, by Stephen H. Strogatz.
Recommended additional material:
Nonlinear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations of Vector Fields by Guckenheimer and Holmes
ChaosBook by Cvitanovic

Examination including compulsory elements

The final grade is based on homework assignments (50%) and a written examination (50%).

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.