The
Term Project will probably consist of a small project which describes
some
topic involving complex variables which is of interest to the student.
Here is the list of assignments for Student Projects in Spring 2016
Here is official Spring 2016 Project Information Sheet
Please take a note of the
Deadline and Requirements for the Project.
You can access an archive of Spring 2004 Student Projects
and Student
Projects in Spring 2014
You could choose to write about a particular interesting question on
a quiz or problem set, write a computer program or talk about an
application of complex variables to some other field.
The point is to communicate to me that at least one topic covered in
the class was interesting enough to write about, and why. This is an
important educational concept whereby not only are you presenting your
understanding of a particular topic (i.e. the "what") but also your
thoughts about your understanding of the topic and the significance to
you (i.e. the "why").
Suggested topics
- Take a look at project topics presented by students in Fall 1996
and Spring 2004
and Spring 2014.
(You can NOT copy these but you can be informed by these topics to
select your own.)
- There are several ideas for Projects in the Applications section
of every chapter in the Zill & Shanahan textbook.
- Mapping properties of other (more complicated) functions beyond \(
w=e^z \), \( w=z^n \) and \( w=\frac{az+b}{cz+d}
\),
such as \( w=\sin(z) \) or \( w=\tan(z) \).
- A computer program which finds and outputs all the values of zc
where z and c are Complex Numbers
- A computer program which solves complex algebraic equations,
particularly quadratic equations like \( az^2 + bz + c = 0 \)
where a, b and c are Complex Numbers
- Discussion of Julia and Mandelbrot sets and functional iteration
on complex functions of a complex variable and the resulting beautiful
fractal images
- Produce webpages on some historical development (or current
application) in Complex Analysis
- Application of Laplace or Fourier Transforms
- Application of complex variables (particular contour integration
or contour mapping) to Dirichlet-type boundary value problems
- Application of residues to improper integrals impossible to
evaluate using real Cartesian coordinates
- Use of contour integrals with indented paths to evaluate real
improper integrals
- Investigation of Laurent Series
Projects will be graded using 5 different criteria:
- Mathematical Content
(Accuracy and Correctness of Mathematics )
- Comprehensibility
(Ability to Communicate Concepts Clearly)
- Effort
(How much work it took to do)
- Degree of Difficulty
(Related to the topic selection and creativity)
- Style and Presentation (Editing,
Polish, "Wow" factor )
Project Timeline: Your project has several deadlines associated with it. Although the
majority of your project grade will be based on the final product (i.e. a paper, program or
presentation) failure to fully complete a step by the deadline will result in at least a 10 point
deduction of your final project grade. The project is worth a total of 200 points
1. Project Proposal: Monday March 21st [25 points] On this day you will turn in a short
project proposal that is no more than one page typed and double spaced. It should include a
title and abstract of your project and include the names of your project partner if you intend
to work on your project as a pair. If you are proposing a group project, you should also detail
how each member plans to contribute. You only need to include one copy of the proposal, but
it should be signed by both members. The maximum size of a group is two.
2. Rough Draft and/or Progress report: Friday, April 8th: [25 points] In order to make
sure you are on your way to successfully completing your project you must turn in a rough draft
of your project paper by Friday, April 18th at 5 p.m. It is fine to turn in your rough draft early.
If what you are doing for your project does not work as a paper then you should present a short
description of the progress you have made so far included with some evidence of this progress,
and a detailed plan of how you intend to complete the project by the final deadline.
3. Oral Presentation: Friday April 22, Monday April 26 or Wednesday April 28: [100
points] Each project will have 4 to 6 minutes of time to give an oral presentation describing
their project during the last three class days of the semester. Solo projects have 4 minutes while
pairs have 6 minutes.
4. Final Deadline: Wednesday April 27th. [100 points] Your project products will be due at
5pm on the last full day of class. Your project product could be a link to a web page, a Math-
ematica or Geogebra animation, the submission of a computer program (with documentation
telling me how to run it) or something else. Surprise me!
Summary
- March 21, 2016 Project Proposal (1 pager): 25 Points.
- April 8, 2016 Rough Draft (5-10 page limit) or Progress Report (-12 pages): 25 Points.
- April 20-27, 2016 Short Oral Presentation: 100 Points.
- April 27, 2016 Final Product: 100 points.
All work on
projects must be completed by Wednesday
April 27 I expect that you will have to meet with me at least once
to discuss your topic.
You may work in small groups (i.e. mostly pairs but I will have
proportionally increased expectations from group projects.
You must give me a 100-250 word
abstract and
title of your project as well as the names of the group members (maximum group size is 2) by Monday
March 21.
You must give me a 250-500 word
progress
report on your projects by Friday April 8.
Project Oral
Presentations will be during the last week of class: Wednesday April
20, Friday April 22 or Monday April 25 or Wednesday April 27.
Last Updated: February 11, 2016