Fall 2014

Chaos and Fractals

Listed in: Mathematics and Statistics, as MATH-225

Faculty

Amanda L. Folsom (Section 01)

Description

MATH 225 is a mathematical treatment of fractal geometry, a field of mathematics partly developed by Benoit Mandelbrot (1924-2010) that continues to be actively researched in the present day. Fractal geometry is a mathematical examination of the concepts of self-similarity, fractals, and chaos, and their applications to the modeling of natural phenomena.  In particular, we will develop the iterated function system (IFS) method for describing fractals, examine Julia sets, Mandelbrot sets, and study the concept of fractal dimension, among other things. Through the teaching of these concepts, MATH 225 will also lend itself to familiarizing students with some of the formalisms and rigor of mathematical proofs.

Requesite: MATH 211 or consent of the instructor. Limited to 35 students. Fall semester.  Professor Folsom.

If Overenrolled: Priority to pre-registered Amherst students--seniors first, then a mix from other years based on lottery; 5-college students if space permits; must attend 1st class

Cost: $25 ?

MATH 225 - LEC

Section 01
M 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM SMUD 205
W 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM SMUD 205
F 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM SMUD 205

MATH 225 - DIS

Section 01
Tu 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM SMUD 205

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
Fractal worlds: grown, built, and imagined Yale University Press M. Frame & A. Urry NOTE: This will be distributed IN CLASS. The cost will be determined once it is produced. Students will be billed. TBD

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2013, Fall 2014