A full syllabus is located here: https://tinyurl.com/NLDsyllabus.

Course Description:
This course is an open invitation to students throughout the fields of science and engineering, from mathematics to biology to physics to mechanical engineering to economics, etc. to gain an introduction to the field of nonlinear dynamics. Nonlinear dynamics is the vibrant study of often very complicated systems where the change of the output does not depend proportionally on the input, along with its numerous applications throughout many fields. These applications include real-world systems that one can observe directly, such as predator-prey systems, planetary motion, fluids, earthquakes, buildings, electronics, collective behavior, crystallization, and chemical processes, as well as more abstract systems, such as in iterated maps, neural networks, quantum mechanics, and solid-state physics.

Students who take this course will gain a general understanding of the purpose and significance behind nonlinear analyses of physical and abstract systems, as well as learn about an assortment of analytical and computational tools and techniques used for understanding these systems. Emphasis will be placed on applications of these techniques to systems found throughout many subjects. Hence, hopefully, the knowledge gained from this class will not only be of use throughout one's coursework, but also in one's current or future research and practice.

Topics:
Linear stability analysis
Phase plane analysis (Lyapunov functions, attractors, constants of motion)
Limit cycles (nonlinear oscillators, asymptotic techniques)
Bifurcation theory and normal forms
Chaotic dynamics (Lorenz equations, strange attractors)
Iterated maps
Fractals

Prerequisites:
The topics covered in this class are similar to the few other nonlinear dynamics courses offered at Berkeley, such as Physics 205B or EE C222/ME C237. However, we are offering this as an upper-division course because we believe that nonlinear dynamics should take a more integral role in the undergraduate curriculum of many quantitative subjects. Keeping the goal of accessibility in mind, the only prerequisites for this course are lower-division mathematics (Math 1AB, Math 53, and Math 54, or their equivalents). Basic programming skills would also be helpful, but definitely are not necessary.

Expectations:
Weekly problem sets will be posted on bCourses and due a week after they are assigned, but exceptions may be made in light of holidays and other special events. There will also be a midterm in class on Thursday, March 19th, which is the Thursday before Spring break. Finally, there will be a final project due during the week immediately preceding RRR week. More details regarding the scope and expectations for this project will be announced later.

We will start taking lecture attendance starting from the week of February 10th onwards. From then on, you are allowed two absences with no impact to your grade, no questions asked. For each absence after the first two, you will be docked 10% of your attendance grade.

Grading:
The grading breakdown will be as follows:

Attendance: 10%
Problem sets: 40%
Midterm: 20%
Final project: 30%

As with other DeCals, the final grade in the course will be determined on a pass/no pass basis. You must receive at least a 70% to pass.

Enrollment will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis. To enroll in this course, one must fill out the application (more like interest form) listed on this page, then the CCN will be emailed to you. Because of the number of topics we intend to cover and how these build on each other, the application/interest form will close after Thursday, February 6th. Those who did not attend the first two weeks and missed the application deadline should talk with the instructors regarding late enrollment.