The course
gives a mathematical foundation for bifurcation theory using singularity
theory. This very powerful theory allows a systematic approach to a large range
of dynamical problems that depend on external parameters. The course will be useful
to students in pure and applied mathematics and in applied fields such as
chemistry, mechanics, biology, and any other discipline where dynamics and
stability of mathematical models are of interest.
The course
will use selected chapters from Golubitsky &
Schaeffer: Singularities and Groups in Bifurcation Theory: Volume 1, Springer-Verlag 1984. The course will be mainly student-driven, in
the sense that the class will decide which chapters to read as we go along.
I expect we
will meet once a week for a one-module (4 hours) session. In each session a
participant will lead the discussion of some pages of the book. The course is
graded passed/not passed on the basis of active participation in the
discussions, and will give 5 ECTS points.
The course starts
early March, and may run into the 3-week period.
If you are
interested, send a mail to the teacher, Morten Brøns, m.brons@mat.dtu.dk