Parabolic approximation to a surface and local eigenframe. The surface on the left is a second-order approximation of a surface at the point where the coordinate axes are drawn. The surface has a local normal at that point which is related to the cross product of the two tangents of the coordinate curves that cross at the that point. The three directions define a coordinate system. The coordinate system can be translated so that the origin lies at the point where the surface is expanded and rotated so that the normal n coincides with the z-axis as in the right hand curve. (Image by Prof. W. Craig Carter.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. W. Craig Carter
MIT Course Number
3.016
As Taught In
Fall 2005
Level
Undergraduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This course covers the mathematical techniques necessary for understanding of materials science and engineering topics such as energetics, materials structure and symmetry, materials response to applied fields, mechanics and physics of solids and soft materials. The class uses examples from the materials science and engineering core courses (3.012 and 3.014) to introduce mathematical concepts and materials-related problem solving skills. Topics include linear algebra and orthonormal basis, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, quadratic forms, tensor operations, symmetry operations, calculus of several variables, introduction to complex analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations, theory of distributions, and fourier analysis.
Users may find additional or updated materials at Professor Carter's 3.016 course Web site.
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Other OCW Versions
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