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University College London

Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics and its Applications

1993 Graduate Programme in

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Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
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Introduction 

The study of nonlinear dynamics is one of the most ex-
citing and fastest growing branches of the mathematical 
sciences. It is having an increasingly important impact 
on a variety of applied subjects ranging from the study of 
turbulence and the behaviour of the weather, through 
the investigation of electrical and mechanical oscillations 
in engineering systems, to the analysis of biological and 
economic phenomena. It has also fired the public's 
imagination under the popular name of chaos.

The Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics and its Applications is a 
new interdisciplinary centre established at University 
College London to act as a focus for research in the the-
ory of nonlinear dynamics and its applications across 
science and engineering. It is based within the Depart-
ment of Civil and Environmental Engineering which has 
a long history of expertise within the area of advanced 
dynamics and its applications to engineering. The Centre 
is under the directorship of Professor J.M.T. Thompson, 
FRS, whose seminal book on Nonlinear Dynamics and 
Chaos has played a fundamental role in stimulating the 
application of nonlinear dynamics within engineering 
and the sciences. 

New MSc Course 

Starting in October 1993, the Centre intends to offer a 
new one year course in Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, 
leading to the award of the degree of Master of Science 
by the University of London.

The aim of this course will be to teach students in engi-
neering, mathematics and the sciences (including the bi-
ological and the social sciences) the fundamentals of the 
modern theory of nonlinear dynamical systems and to 
supply them with the tools required to apply this theory 
to practical problems within their own disciplines. Stu-
dents successfully completing the course will be capable 
of analysing the dynamics of a nonlinear system in a log-
ical and structured fashion in order to draw useful con-
clusions about its overall behaviour. They will thus have 
a firm basis from which to go on to a career in industry, 
or to embark on further research in a variety of disci-
plines.

The course will involve: lectures on the theory and the 
applications of nonlinear dynamics; substantial time 
spent exploring archetypal systems using modern com-
puting facilities; a variety of case studies of applications; 
and a major project undertaken by the student. There 
will also be an opportunity to undertake experiments, for 
instance using mechanical or electronic oscillators, and 
to choose options from amongst suitable courses taught 
by other departments at UCL, or even by other colleges 
of the University of London.

Whilst the subject of Nonlinear Dynamics inevitably 
makes use of a number of modern branches of mathe-
matics, such as topology and differential geometry, the 
course will concentrate on fundamental concepts and 
practical techniques and wherever possible will avoid de-
tailed derivations. Any advanced mathematical tools 
needed will be taught as required. Every effort will there-
fore be made to support students with little or no previ-
ous mathematical experience and such students are en-
couraged to apply. 

PhD by Research 

The Centre also offers many opportunities for postgrad-
uate research within a large and active  group, working 
on a variety of topical problems in the theory and appli-
cations of dynamical systems. Current areas of supervi-
sion include impacting systems, chaotic signal process-
ing, transient dynamics, ship capsize, fire dynamics, 
electronic circuits, quasiperiodic forcing and others. 
Further subjects will naturally be considered to suit the 
strengths and interests of individual candidates. Finan-
cial support may be available including UK SERC stu-
dentships and CASE awards (subject to eligibility). 

For further information concerning full or part time registration
contact:

Dr. J. Stark, Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics and its Applications,

University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK,

Tel. 071-387-7050, Ext. 2720, Fax. 071-380-0986,

e-mail j.stark@ucl.ac.uk .