Applied Math for Materials Science and Engineering (Part 2)
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Applied Math for Materials Science and Engineering (Part 2)
Instructor: Seungbum Hong
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What you'll learn
Apply multiple integration in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates to calculate physical properties like moments of inertia.
Determine series convergence using comparison, ratio, and integral tests, and represent functions as Taylor and power series.
Use complex numbers and Euler's formula to solve differential equations for engineering systems such as LCR circuits.
Transform area and volume elements between coordinate systems using the Jacobian and scale factors.
Details to know
April 2026
7 assignments
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There are 4 modules in this course
Build the mathematical toolkit you need for materials science and engineering. This course covers three essential areas, multivariable calculus, infinite series, and complex numbers, and connects each topic directly to physical and engineering applications.
You'll start with multiple integration across Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems. You'll learn how the Jacobian and scale factors enable correct transformations between systems, and you'll apply these tools to calculate solid angles, moments of inertia, and other physical properties for symmetric geometries. Next, you'll study infinite series and convergence criteria using the comparison, ratio, and integral tests. You'll work with Taylor and power series to approximate complex physical laws, including relativistic mechanics models, and perform term-by-term calculus operations to solve advanced problems. Finally, you'll explore complex numbers in both Cartesian and polar form, connect them through Euler's formula, and apply complex impedance methods to solve differential equations for LCR electrical circuits. Who this is for: First- and second-year undergraduates in engineering or science, advanced high school students, and working professionals seeking to strengthen their applied mathematics foundations.
In this module, you'll learn how to perform multiple integration, starting with geometric volume calculations for spheres and cones, then expanding to more complex geometries. You'll work across three coordinate systems (Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical) and discover why the Jacobian and scale factors are essential when transforming between them. By the end of the module, you'll apply these tools to calculate solid angles and moments of inertia, physical quantities that appear throughout materials science and engineering.
What's included
9 videos5 readings2 assignments
9 videosβ’Total 72 minutes
- Introductionβ’3 minutes
- Volume of a Sphereβ’7 minutes
- Coordinate Systemsβ’7 minutes
- Polar Coordinate Systemsβ’6 minutes
- Cylindrical, Spherical Coordinate Systemsβ’11 minutes
- Solid Angleβ’8 minutes
- Solid Angle 2β’9 minutes
- Gaussian Integralβ’10 minutes
- Exercisesβ’11 minutes
5 readingsβ’Total 50 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Textbookβ’10 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 70 minutes
- Calculus of Many Variables - Graded Quizβ’40 minutes
- Calculus of Many Variables - Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
This module focuses on the convergence criteria for infinite series, covering essential tools such as the comparison, ratio, and integral tests. You will delve into Taylor and power series to understand how functions are represented as polynomials within a specific radius of convergence. Next you will apply these techniques to approximate complex physical laws in relativistic mechanics and perform term-by-term calculus to solve advanced engineering problems.
What's included
14 videos5 readings2 assignments
14 videosβ’Total 137 minutes
- Basics of Seriesβ’11 minutes
- The Comparison Testβ’11 minutes
- The Ratio Test & Integral Testβ’9 minutes
- Exercisesβ’10 minutes
- Absolute Convergenceβ’5 minutes
- Conditional Convergenceβ’12 minutes
- Power Series 1β’7 minutes
- Exercisesβ’9 minutes
- Power Series 2β’10 minutes
- Power Series 3β’8 minutes
- Exercisesβ’13 minutes
- Exercisesβ’12 minutes
- The Alternating Series Testβ’7 minutes
- Exercisesβ’13 minutes
5 readingsβ’Total 50 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Textbookβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Textbookβ’10 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 70 minutes
- Infinite Series - Graded Quizβ’40 minutes
- Infinite Series - Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
Complex numbers are far more than abstract math, they're a powerful tool for solving real engineering problems. This module introduces the definition and basic operations of complex numbers, transitioning from Cartesian form to polar representation. Using Eulerβs formula, you will explore the profound relationship between complex exponentials and trigonometric functions. You will apply these mathematical tools to analyse LCR electrical circuits, learning to solve differential equations by reducing them to algebraic forms using impedance and phase analysis. This technique is one you will use repeatedly in electrical engineering and physics.
What's included
16 videos8 readings2 assignments
16 videosβ’Total 138 minutes
- Complex Numbers in Cartesian Form 1β’7 minutes
- Complex Numbers in Cartesian Form 2β’6 minutes
- Complex Numbers in Cartesian Form 3β’9 minutes
- Exercises 1β’11 minutes
- Exercises 2β’12 minutes
- Polar Form of Complex Numbers 1β’7 minutes
- Polar Form of Complex Numbers 2β’6 minutes
- Polar Form of Complex Numbers 3β’7 minutes
- Exercises 3β’9 minutes
- Exercises 4β’9 minutes
- Exercises 5β’11 minutes
- Application of Complex Numbers 1β’7 minutes
- Application of Complex Numbers 2β’8 minutes
- Application of Complex Numbers 3β’9 minutes
- Application of Complex Numbers 4β’9 minutes
- Exercises 6β’12 minutes
8 readingsβ’Total 80 minutes
- Lecture Slides - Complex Numbers in Cartesian Formβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slides - Exercises 1 and 2β’10 minutes
- Textbookβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slides - Polar Form of Complex Numbersβ’10 minutes
- Lecture Slides - Exercise 3, 4 and 5β’10 minutes
- Textbookβ’10 minutes
- All Lecture Slidesβ’10 minutes
- Textbookβ’10 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 70 minutes
- Complex Numbers - Graded Quizβ’40 minutes
- Complex Numbers - Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
This module provides a comprehensive evaluation of the core concepts of Applied Math for Materials Science and Engineering. You will demonstrate your ability to integrate across multiple coordinate systems, test series for convergence, apply Taylor approximations, and use complex number techniques to solve engineering problems. The final exam evaluates your proficiency in constructing mathematical models and analysing materials science and engineering systems through diverse coordinate systems and approximation methods.
What's included
1 assignment
1 assignmentβ’Total 60 minutes
- Final Examβ’60 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
You should be comfortable with single-variable calculus (derivatives and integrals) and basic physics concepts like force and motion. This course builds on those foundations to introduce multivariable methods, series, and complex analysis. No programming experience is required.
Every topic is taught with engineering applications in mind. Rather than abstract proofs, you'll calculate moments of inertia, approximate relativistic models, and analyse electrical circuits, skills you'll use throughout your engineering studies and career.
These mathematical tools are used daily in materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics. You'll be prepared to tackle advanced coursework in thermodynamics, electromagnetics, quantum mechanics, and structural analysis with confidence.
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