Courses Planning to take Intro to PDEs via UIUC NetMath — What should I know?

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The discussion centers on the 'Introduction to Partial Differential Equations' course offered by UIUC through NetMath. The participant has completed prerequisite courses, including Ordinary Differential Equations and Advanced Calculus, and seeks insights on the course's quality and content. Key topics emphasized include the importance of the chain rule, methods from ODE such as the Cauchy-Euler method and variation of parameters, and familiarity with Laplace transforms. Additionally, having experience with MATLAB or FreeMat is recommended for the numerical aspects of the course. Overall, the conversation highlights the preparedness required for success in the course and the value of the online learning experience at UIUC.
Math100
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Hello, I want to know if anyone has taken an 'Introduction to Partial Differential Equations" class/course via UIUC (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) through NetMath. I am planning to take this course given the fact that I have taken ODE (Ordinary Differential Equations) and Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations before. What are some of the things that I should I know before taking this class/course? For people who have already taken this course through NetMath, do you suggest/recommend taking courses at this school through distance learning program? How's the quality?
 
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The basics for physics or engineering:
- Calculus 1,2,3
- Linear Algebra
- Ordinary differential equations
- Advanced Calculus or Real Analysis
- Introduction to Numerical Methods (optional but useful)
 
jedishrfu said:
The basics for physics or engineering:
- Calculus 1,2,3
- Linear Algebra
- Ordinary differential equations
- Advanced Calculus or Real Analysis
- Introduction to Numerical Methods (optional but useful)
I have taken all of those courses/classes you've listed above, except the last one, 'Introduction to Numerical Methods'. I just wanted to know the quality of the online math classes/courses that are offered from this online college/university, but now, I think I know what I should do.
 
For the topics in the course.

Chain rule, chain rule, chain rule... (most important)
From ODE:cauchy-euler method, UC method, variation of parameters.

It doesnt hurt to have familiarity with laplace/inverse laplace transforms.
 
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For the numerical part, having some experience with matlab or freemat could help. There’s tutorials available on the mathworks site to help.
 
Given the current funding situation, you should contact potential departments or research groups before you apply and pay any application fees. Many programs are not taking new graduate students at all this cycle because of funding uncertainty, unless a specific advisor can show they already have money to support you for five years. This is what I’ve heard directly from 20–30 programs. Do not waste money applying blindly.

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