Advice: Software: ROOT and course: Applied PDE

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around advice for a new semester involving applied partial differential equations (PDE) and the ROOT software. Participants explore the differences between regular differential equations and partial differential equations, as well as tips for using ROOT effectively.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster seeks advice on using ROOT software, mentioning moderate coding skills and installation across multiple operating systems.
  • Some participants suggest that familiarity with C++ will make ROOT intuitive and recommend going through the tutorials on the CERN website.
  • The original poster expresses concern about their preparedness for the graduate-level applied PDE course, having previously taken a summer course in differential equations that they found easy but now struggle to remember.
  • Participants clarify that PDEs deal with multidimensional problems involving partial derivatives, while ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are one-dimensional.
  • One participant notes the course progression from Math 220 to Math 480 and then to Math 481, questioning the absence of an undergraduate course in between.
  • Another participant provides a link to a resource for reviewing PDE concepts before classes begin, suggesting it may be helpful.
  • Participants acknowledge the usefulness of PDEs in the physical sciences and express enthusiasm for the course.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of confidence regarding the original poster's preparedness for the graduate course, with some suggesting they may be over their head while others indicate that the course structure might be appropriate. No consensus is reached on the original poster's readiness.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the differences between PDEs and ODEs without resolving the original poster's concerns about their preparedness for the graduate course. The discussion includes references to specific resources and course structures but does not clarify all assumptions regarding the original poster's background knowledge.

Who May Find This Useful

Students preparing for courses in applied partial differential equations, those interested in using ROOT software, and individuals seeking resources for understanding the differences between types of differential equations.

RJLiberator
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Tomorrow I embark on a new semester and this semester I have the pleasure of learning applied partial differential equations and the software of "ROOT"

ROOT: https://root.cern.ch/

So I am here to solicite advice.

1. In regards to ROOT, is there anything that can set me up better for a more successful semester? I am moderately code-savvy. I have it installed on my mac, windows, and linux. The mac is my laptop which I bring to course. Is there any tips you have for working on ROOT?

2. For Applied Partial Differential Equations, here is my situation. I took a 4-week summer course of differential equations. It was rather easy for me, but admittedly now I can barely remember much of it. Applied PDE is a graduate level 481 course while diff eqns was an undergrad 220 course. What's the difference between the two? What is partial vs. regular DE.
Are there any good sites that focus on the material that I can browse? What is the main few ideas/things that anyone taking applied PDE is going to learn?
Is it possible that I am in over my head in this course? I've done extremely well in all my math courses prior.
 
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RJLiberator said:
Tomorrow I embark on a new semester and this semester I have the pleasure of learning applied partial differential equations and the software of "ROOT"

ROOT: https://root.cern.ch/

So I am here to solicite advice.

1. In regards to ROOT, is there anything that can set me up better for a more successful semester? I am moderately code-savvy. I have it installed on my mac, windows, and linux. The mac is my laptop which I bring to course. Is there any tips you have for working on ROOT?

2. For Applied Partial Differential Equations, here is my situation. I took a 4-week summer course of differential equations. It was rather easy for me, but admittedly now I can barely remember much of it. Applied PDE is a graduate level 481 course while diff eqns was an undergrad 220 course. What's the difference between the two? What is partial vs. regular DE.
Are there any good sites that focus on the material that I can browse? What is the main few ideas/things that anyone taking applied PDE is going to learn?
Is it possible that I am in over my head in this course? I've done extremely well in all my math courses prior.

If you've got experience with C++, ROOT will be intuitive. Go through the tutorials on the CERN website.

You could very well be over your head with the graduate level PDE course. Didn't they offer an undergraduate one?

PDE's deal with multidimensional problems(more than one variable) and their partial derivatives, while ODE's (what it sounds like you took) are a special case, which are one dimensional.
 
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The courses concerning diff eq's goes from Math 220 Differential equations to Math 480 Applied Diff EQ to Math 481 Applied Partial Diff Eq.

No other courses for Diff EQ are listed in between them or afterwards.
 
RJLiberator said:
The courses concerning diff eq's goes from Math 220 Differential equations to Math 480 Applied Diff EQ to Math 481 Applied Partial Diff Eq.

No other courses for Diff EQ are listed in between them or afterwards.

Interesting, maybe you won't be over your head then. Kind of curious they don't have the course offered at an undergrad level.

Take a look at http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/DE/IntroPDE.aspx, that should help you some if you review before before class starts. (Or get's too serious)

PDE's are incredibly useful for the physical sciences, enjoy.
 
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PDE's are incredibly useful for the physical sciences.

:). Excellent. When I saw the course available to my schedule I was very happy to try it out for this reason.

The link you supplied me looks great. I will keep it handy.
 

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