The Department of Mathematics Presents

A seminar focused by and on graduate students

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ABSTRACT: We will go from the method of separation of variables for the wave operator in two variables to the Fourier transform, to the concept of a fundamental solution of a partial differential operator with constant coefficients, distribution theory, Sobolev spaces, functional analysis, pseudodifferential equations, parametrices, boundary value problems in the elliptic case and finally end with degeneracy of such a problem.

If the above itinerary sounds as scary as a Halloween story, then rest assured that we will try to enjoy it the same way we enjoy Halloween. Technicalities will be avoided while pictures and intuitive explanations will be abundant. We will concentrate on the philosophy, meanings, insights and ideas and we will only assume an open mind and the desire to enjoy the bright side of such an apparently frightening subject.

Room 617, Wachman Hall, Department of Mathematics, 6^th Floor Temple University