Vector Calculus and Differential Equations

(Advanced)
MA TH2921, Advanced Stream Maths, USyd, Semester 1, 2025
Unit Information Sheet
Unit Coordinator/Lecturer: Zhou Zhang
Email: [email protected]

Prerequisites:
1) Differentiation: either one of MATH1921, MATH1931, MATH1901,
MATH1906, good ~IATHI00l or good MATH1021;
2) Matrix (linear algebra): ~IATH1902 or good MATH1002;
3) Integration: ei~her one of MATH1923, MATH1933, MATH1903,
MATH1907, good MATH1003 01 i\lc•d !v1ATH1023.

Unit Description:
This is the advanced •·:· ...: ,. ' • '; . .:'E?C21, with more emphasis on the
underlying concepts auj ! , '2·('"' - .:.al rigour.
The Vector Calculus corLr.:01.c,:~. o~ tile course includes: parametrised curves
and surfaces, vector fields, div, grad o.nd curl, gradient fields and potential
functions, Lagrange multipliers, line integrals, arc length, work,
path-independent integrals, and conservative fields, flux across a curve,
double and triple integrals, change of variable formulas, polar, cylindrical
and spherical coordinates, areas, volumes and mass, flux integrals, and
Green's Gauss' and Stokes' Theorems.
The Differential Equations component of the course focuses on ordinary
and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs) with applications with
more complexity and depth. It provides a more thorough grounding in
these techniques to enable students to build on the concepts in their
subsequent courses. The main topics are: second order ODEs (including
inhomogeneous equations), series solutions near a regular point, higher
order ODEs and systems of first order equations, matrix equations and
solutions, solution methods (variation of parameters, undetermined
coefficients) the Laplace and Fourier Transform, elementary Sturm-Liouville
Theory, an introduction to PDEs, and first methods of solutions (including
separation of variables, and Fourier Series).

1
Note: we use Sydney Time throughout.
Lectures: Weeks 1-13, all recorded and with live streaming.
• \iVednesday 9AM-10AM: Carslaw Lecture Theatre 275

• Thursday 9AM-10AM: Carslaw Lecture Theatre 275

• Thursday l0PM-llNOON: Carslaw Lecture Theatre 275

• Practice Class/Seminar:
Thursday 12NOON-1PM, Carslaw Lecture Theatre 273.
It's a special lecture based on student feedbacks/needs, most likely
focusing on examples and summarising the week's content.
The two clas.5e8 in Weeks 7 and 11 will hold in-class in-person quizzes.

Tutorial: Weeks 2-13. Pleas~ :hr.:~ your own timetable. For any change
(or attending different tut0· :· ·: -f'" _( {n some weeks), please go to the
desirable tutorial class as ~· ,, -· - .,·-:1i end ask the tutor to add your
name to the class list. A t.tr.:·t..., • : • . ~-ounted with marks.
Consultation: Weeks l-!..~ ~ :;~._::::1 1PM-2PM (after Practice Class),
1 ·:

Carslaw 620, no appointment needed.

Ed (through Canvas) is a useful place for questions.
Email me {[email protected]) to arrange additional consultation.
Assessment:
a) Tutorial attendance count: 0.5 each, up to 5% (10 tutorial cla.s.9
attendance).
b) 5 Canvas Online Quizzes: Weeks 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12, 3% each for 15% in
all.
The first one (in Week 3) is considered the "Early Feedback Task".
All are on the Fridays of those weeks, available 7AM-11AM.
Each has 6 multiple choice questions (each with 1 correct
answer) for 30 minutes, open book, individual work.
c) 1 assignment (assigned online in Week 3, due online at the end of
Week 5) worth 10%, with INDIVIDUAL WORI< with possible
discussion and your OWN HANDWRITING in traditional
pen-paper. For late submission, every day (after due time)
costs 20%.

2
 d) 2 quizze~ (Weeks 7 and 11~ worth 10% each; in Practice Class.
e) 1 exam (in examination period) claims the rest 50%, in regular
examination period.

f) Policy: there is NO Bettermark Principle automatically in function.

No late or alternative quiz will be accommodated. Students
should make arrangement to guarantee attendance as soon as possible
and can apply through the University with justified reasons to move
the weight of the (missed) quiz to the final exam.

Course Resources:
• All learning resources will be on the Canvas MATH2921 Website.

• There will be a brief weekly plan available at the beginning.

• Tutorial sheet and solr:ticn will be available in a weekly basis.

• Lecture notes for tlrn 011:ir.=: ~;-25.d:ting in 2022 will be available at the
beginning.

• In-class written notes ,.-,.1U bi;; avJ.Hable online after class.

• Lecture recording (also for Practice Class) will be available on Canvas.

Online Texts as References: recommended as supplementary reading

but not required.
1. VC (Vector Calculus)
Calculus III
by Marsden, Jerrold E. and Weinstein, Alan J. (1985)
Springer-Verlag, New York. ISBN 9780387909851
free online at:
https://authors.library.caltech.edu/25043/
2. DE (Differential Equations)
Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems
by William F. 'I\·ench
free online at:
https://digitalcommons.trinit y.edu/mono/9/

3
 Vector Calculus and Differential Equations
(Advanced)
MATH2921, Advanced Stream Maths, USyd, Semester 1, 2025
Weekly Plan for Maths, .,..
Instructor: Zhou Zhang
[email protected]

Unit Description:
This is the advanced version of MATH2021, with more emphasis on the
underlying concep~s and mathematical rigour.
The Vector Calculus component of the course includes: parametrised curves
and surfaces, vector fields, div, grad and curl, gradient fields and potential
functions, Lagrange multipliers, line integrals, arc length, work,
path-independent integrals. and :::0naervative fields, flux across a curve,
double and triple integraJ.E-: -c:l:.u:t~•-. of vaJ.·iable~formulas, polar, cylindrical
and spherical coordinates1 r.:3.r€a~ 1 volumes and mass, flux integrals, and
Green's Gauss' and Stoker:( Thee,rerris.
The Differential Equa.tiontJ corrrponent of the course focuses on ordinary
and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs) with applications with
more complexity and depth, It provides a more thorough grounding in
these techniques to enable students to build on the concepts in their
subsequent courses. The main topics are: second order ODEs (including
inhomogeneous equations), series solutions near a regular point, higher
order ODEs and systems of first order equations, matrix equations and
solutions, solution methods (variation of parameters, undetermined
coefficients) the Laplace and Fourier Transform, elementary Sturm-Liouville
Theory, an introduction to PDEs, and first methods of solutions (including
separation of variables, and Fourier Series).

1
Online Texts as References: rec01nrnended as supplementary reading
but not required. •
1. Vector Calculus: denoted as (VC]
Calculus III
by Marsden, Jerrold E. and Weinstein, Alan J. (1985)
Springer-Verlag, New York. ISBN 9780387909851
free online at:
https:/ /authors.library.caltech.edu/25043/
2. Differential Equations: denoted as [DE]
Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems
by Willian1 F. Tuench
free online at:
https: / / digitalcomm.on!3.td:riEy,t<1 u/ mono /9 /

Facts for this File:

• The vector calculus text is denoted by {y,c]]

• The differential equations text is denoted by fD-EU

• Tutorial Sheet N (for Week N+l) is denoted by TN, for N=l, ... , 12.

2
Contents
1 Week 1. Curve, Surface and Derivatives 4

2 Week 2. Critical Point, Optimisation and Matrix 8

3 Week 3. Multiple Integrals, I 11

4 Week 4. Multiples Integrals, II 14

5 Week 5. Line Integrals, Green's Theore:µi and Flux 17

6 Week 6. Surface Integral, Gauss' and Stokes' Theorems 21

7 Week 7. Simple ODE and lv1atrix ODE 24

8 vv ~ek
't'XT 8 . So lv1ng
• r• '')T:1 1f
t.'1 l~. 1 .!l 27

9 Week 9. Solving Ot1E5. XI 31

10 Week 10. Power and Fourier Series in Solving ODE 34

11 Week 11. Solving PDE, I 36

12 Week 12. Solving PDE, II 38

13 Week 13. Revision 40

14 Appendix: Laplace Transform 41

3
1 Week 1. Curve, Surface and Derivatives
IU
Main Topics: thi,s week is m,ostly considered I review and set-up of
notations. All questions are from Tl. Chapters 13, 14, 15 and the
beginning of 1~;e~3efty as review for~:; Tl\ LI l
• Tangent 1i{e and plane for graph: Q~

• Chain rule for partial derivative, Cartesian and polar coordinates: Q2,
Q3, Q4.

• Gradient and directional derivative: Q5, Q6, Q7. Q5 will be revisited

towards the end of VC part.

• Dot and cross products: VC Review Tutorial Sheet

We work primarily in 1R2 and TR3 ; but a lot can he done for ]Rn. It's a good
test of your understanding by :'..;BtJ.:=::phig an eye on it.

1. Vector and Curve

We identify the point with the vector from the origin to it.
1R2 with the basis {i, 1} and coordinates:
➔
(X, y ) = X 1, + y➔
J.

JR3 with the basis{{, 1, k} and coordinates:

(x, Y, z ) = X ➔1, + y ➔ ➔
k
J +z .

Naturally, 1R2 is viewed in 1R3 with z = 0.

Introducing such (Cartesian, Euclidean) structure is for the
convenience of handling (geometric) objects.
How about a curve to start with?

• Parametric equation (as "motion" ):

?(t) = (x(-t), y(t)) for 1R2

7 (t) = (x(t), y(t), z(t)) for JR 3

4
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