Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1898-1899 [PAGE 222]

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17.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COURSES

ANALYTICAL. GEOMETRY OF SPACE.—A general review will be

given of the position of the plane and the right line in space and the more general properties of surfaces of the second degree. To this will be added the classification and special properties of quadrics, and a brief introduction to the theory of surfaces in general. Chas. Smith's Solid Geometry. II.; M.,W.,F.; 1; (3). Mr. COAR. Required: Mathematics 9.

18. HIGHER PLANE CURVES.—This course is designed to cover

the general theory of algebraic curves, together with the application of the theory of invariants to higher plane curves. Special study will be made of curves of the third and fourth order. Lectures with collateral reading. Required: Mathematics 12. [Not given in 1899-1900.]

20. CALCULUS OF VARIATIONS.—This course has for its aim

merely to acquaint the student with those elements of the science which are most needed in the study of the higher subjects of mathematical astronomy and physics. Caril's Calculus of Variations. I.;

M., W., F.; 4; (iyi). Professor MYERS.

Required: Mathematics 11, 16. 21. SPHERICAL HARMONICS.—In this course, a thorough study is made of so much of this subject as is of interest to an astronomer. It is introduced by a short course of lectures and study of certain trigonometric series. Fourier's Theorem for developing any function of a variable in a series proceeding in sines and cosines of multiples of the variable is derived and the limitations of its validity investigated. This is followed by the study of Lagrange's, Laplace's and Lame's functions and their applications to astronomical and physical problems. Byerly's Fourier's Series and Spherical Harmonics. /.;

M., IV., F.; 7; 22. (3). Professor MYERS.

Required: Mathematics 11, 14, 16.

POTENTIAL FUNCTION.—The potential function is defined and

its properties derived and discussed. The potential of various bodies; such as of a wire, a spherical shell, a sphere, elipsoid of revolution, etc., is computed. Poisson's and Laplace's Equations are derived and discussed. Green's Propositions with kindred and similar subjects are handled. Pierce's Newtonian Potential Function. II.; &l.,

IV., F.; 7; (3). Professor MYERS.

Required: Mathematics 21; Astronomy 6. 23. MODERN GEOMETRY.—This course will include in general a consideration of homogeneous coordinates, duality, descriptive and metrical properties of curves, anhannonic ratios, homography, involu-