Hiroshima University Syllabus

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Japanese
Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Liberal Arts Education Program
Lecture Code 63100701 Subject Classification Area Courses
Subject Name Introduction to physical mathematics
Subject Name
(Katakana)
Subject Name in
English
Introduction to physical mathematics
Instructor TANAKA SHINPEI
Instructor
(Katakana)
タナカ シンペイ
Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year,  First Semester,  1Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms (1T) Thur9-10,Fri7-8:IAS J303
Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details)
Face-to-face
The course is in principle given as face-to-face lectures. 
Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction E : English
Course Level 1 : Undergraduate Introductory
Course Area(Area) 25 : Science and Technology
Course Area(Discipline) 06 : Physics
Eligible Students
Keywords Physical mathematics, Applied mathematics 
Special Subject for Teacher Education   Special Subject  
Class Status within
Liberal Arts Education
Area Courses(Courses in Natural Sciences) Category:Physics / Astronomy / Applied Physics 
Expected OutcomeLearning how to use basic mathematics to deal with basic physical problems.  
Class Objectives
/Class Outline
In natural science, mathematics is used as a language. You will learn how to use mathematics as a skill to solve basic physical problems. I will focus more on the intuitive understandings of mathematical concepts than on the exactness.    
Class Schedule 1. Physics modeling and graphs: “change” and “total”
2. Derivative as slope and instantaneous rate
3. Basic differentiation rules
4. Using derivatives in physics: extrema and stability intuition
5. Integral as area and accumulated quantity
6. Fundamental link: derivative ↔ integral
7. Integration in 1D physics: work and energy
8. What is an ODE? From “law” to equation
9. Balance laws (conservation mindset) → first-order ODEs
10. Exponential relaxation: the most common first-order ODE
11. Drag and terminal velocity
12. Newton’s 2nd law as a second-order ODE
13. Simple harmonic motion
14. Damping and forcing (real oscillators + resonance)
15. Numerical solution and conclusions

Final examination 
Text/Reference
Books,etc.
Handouts are given. Text books will be assigned in the class.   
PC or AV used in
Class,etc.
Text, Handouts, Visual Materials
(More Details) Textbooks and handouts 
Learning techniques to be incorporated
Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review
Read the handout before the lecture. When exercises are given, finish them either in the class or after class. Ask whenever you have questions.  
Requirements  
Grading Method Understandings of each chapter are evaluated by both final examination and reports on exercises. 
Practical Experience  
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it  
Message  
Other   
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching. 
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