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SI1142 Mathematical Methods in Physics, Additional Course 3.0 credits

Variational methods and Green's functions and how to use them in theoretical physics.

Information per course offering

Termin

Information for Spring 2026 Start 16 Mar 2026 programme students

Course location

AlbaNova

Duration
16 Mar 2026 - 1 Jun 2026
Periods

Spring 2026: P4 (3 hp)

Pace of study

17%

Application code

60123

Form of study

Normal Daytime

Language of instruction

English

Course memo
Course memo is not published
Number of places

Places are not limited

Target group
No information inserted
Planned modular schedule
[object Object]

Contact

Examiner
No information inserted
Course coordinator
No information inserted
Teachers
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Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus SI1142 (Spring 2026–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus SI1142 (Spring 2026–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

This is a supplementary course to the course SI1200 Mathematical Methods in Physics, intended to teach more advanced methods that are important in theoretical physics. The course content for a given course offering mainly consists of one of the following three subject areas:

  • Special functions and their connection to partial differential equations and applications.
  • Green's functions and their connection to differential equations and applications.​
  • Calculus of variations and its connection to differential equations and eigenvalue problems.​​​

Intended learning outcomes

  • Use special functions and their applications, explain the underlying theory, and have knowledge on the connection between special functions and partial differential equations.​
  • Use Green's functions and their applications, explain the underlying theory, and have knowledge on the connection between Green's functions to differential equations.​
  • Use calculus of variations and its applications, explain the underlying theory, and have knowledge on the connection among calculus of variations, differential equations, and eigenvalue problems.​

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Completed course SI1200 Mathematical Methods in Physics.

Recommended prerequisites

To master the contents of the mathematics courses that preceed each part of this course in the course plan for the technical physics program. This course should be taken in parallel or after SI1200

Literature

You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • TENX - Written exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Other requirements for final grade

Pass final examination.

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Physics, Technology

Education cycle

First cycle

Supplementary information

The course can not be included in the exam together with SI2215.