Advanced Courses 2008/09

Specific courses which are held in the framework of a master program are also qualified for PhD students. Such courses can be announced on this page using the usual form and are thereby open for all PhD students participating in the Doctoral Program. In order to minimize travelling, it is recommended to organize such courses in a bi-weekly rhythm or as block courses.

Course: Introduction to Gamma-convergence
Prof. Norbert Hungerbühler, University of Fribourg
Academic year 2008/09
Course: Friday, 08:15-10:00, Room 2.301 Geosciences Building
University of Fribourg, Pérolles
Contents: This course is an introduction into the concept of Gamma-Convergence. We start by a brief discussion of the direct method in the calculus of variations. Then we discuss the idea of Gamma convergence: Suppose a sequence Fn of functionals is given, along with a minimizer xn for every Fn. Then, if the sequence xn of minimizers converges in some sense to x, one may ask under which hypotheses x is in a natural way minimizer of a limiting functional F. The Gamma Convergence gives a precise answer to this question. In the course we will then investigate properties of the Gamma Convergence and relations to other topologies. In addition we will treat some examples and applications from homogenization and elasticity theory.

Course: Riemannian Geometry
Prof. Andreas Bernig, University of Fribourg
Fall term 2008
Course: Thursday, 13:15-17:00, Room 2.52, Physics Building
University of Fribourg, Pérolles
Contents: Riemannian manifolds, geodesics, curvatur and topology
Literature:
  • Gallot-Hulin-Lafontaine: Riemannian Geometry, Springer
  • Jost: Riemannian geometry and geometric analysis, Springer
  • Kühnel: Differential geometry. Curves - surfaces - manifolds. AMS.
Prerequisite: Algebra and Geometry, Analysis.
Remarks: This course will be held in English. Physics students are also welcome. In the summer semester 2009, a course on more advanced topics will be proposed by Prof. W. Tuschmann.

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