Syllabus for MA 591F, Fall 2004

1. Instructor: J. E. Franke

Office: HA 205
Office Hours: 10:00 - 11:00 MWF or by appointment
Phone Number: 515-2381
E-mail address: franke@math.ncsu.edu
Homepage: http://www.math.ncsu.edu/~franke
Class meeting times: 8:20-9:35 T.Th.
Classroom: HA 261

2. Goals and Objectives:

MA 591F is an introduction to fractals and chaos. Students will

experiment with fractals and chaotic dynamical systems in the computer lab.

develop their proof skills in the area of analysis as it applies to fractals and dynamical systems.

understand the concepts of fractals, Hausdorff metric, iterated functions systems, box dimension, Julia sets, Mandelbrot sets, and chaos.

3. Textbook:

Fractal Geometry, by Kenneth Falconer, Second Edition, Wiley, 2003, ISBN 0-470-84862-6 Price $49.95

4. Topics and estimated days allocated to each topics:

Chapter 1.1-1.3	Mathematical Backgroung	1-2 weeks
Chapter 3.1-3.2	Box-counting Dimensions	1-2 weeks
Chapter 2.1-2.3	Hausdorff Measures and Dimension	1-2 weeks
Chapter 4.1	Calculating Dimension	1 week
Chapter 9.1-9.3	Iterated Function Systems	2 weeks
Chapter 11.1	Graphs of Functions	1 week
Chapter 13.1-13.2	Dynamical Systems	1-2 weeks
Chapter 14.1-14.3	Iteration of Complex Functions	2 weeks

5. Tentative schedule of reading assignments

Read the sections to be covered for the week.

6. Tentative schedule of homework due dates, quizzes and tests

Homework is due a week after it is assigned.
The first test will be in October and the second will be in November.
The final is on Thursday, December 9 at 8:00 am. It is a 3 hour test.

7. Determination of grades:

Homework: 15%

Projects: 10%

Test 1 20%

Test 2 20%

Final: 35%

Range	Grade
97.6 <= X <= 100	A+
92.3 <= X < 97.6	A
90.0 <= X < 92.3	A-
87.6 <= X < 90.0	B+
82.3 <= X < 87.6	B
80.0 <= X < 82.3	B-
77.6 <= X < 80.0	C+
72.3 <= X < 77.6	C
70.0 <= X < 72.3	C-
67.6 <= X < 70.0	D+
62.3 <= X < 67.6	D
60.0 <= X < 62.3	D-
X < 60	F

8. Policy on incomplete grades and late assignments: Late homework assignments will not be graded.

9. Policy on absences (excused and unexcused) and scheduling makeup work:

NCSU policy, including what constitutes an 'Excused Absence,' is at this link.
In addition, the following clarifications are used in this course: Excused absences are required for making up a missed test.

10. Course Prerequisites / Restrictive Statements:

MA 425 (MA 537 encouraged).
More information is available at : http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/reg_records/crs_cat/MA.html (link)

11. GER Designation

This course does not satisfy the Math GER.

12. Academic Integrity Statement:

Students are required to follow NCSU policy available at www.ncsu.edu/provost/academic_regulations/integrity/reg.htm. "Academic dishonesty is the giving, taking, or presenting of information or material by a student that unethically or fraudulently aids oneself or another on any work which is to be considered in the determination of a grade or the completion of academic requirements or the enhancement of that student's record or academic career." (NCSU Code of Student Conduct)

The Student Affairs web site has more information (http://www.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/osc/AIpage/acaintegrity.html).

Utilization implication of the Honor Pledge

"I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment."

Expectations concerning honesty in the completion of test and assignments.

This has been outlined above

13. NC State policy on working with students with disabilities:

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation.

14. Statement on laboratory safety or risk assumption in courses requiring physical activity or field trips:

The labs in this course utilize computers, so no special safety training or equipment is needed. There are no field trips.

15. Statement on "pass-through" charges e.g. , lane rental at bowling alley, field trip costs, etc.:

None

Further Information:

NCSU Academic Regulations can be found at http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/project/www/ncsu/provost/info/academic_policies/ (link)