Semester 1 in L'Aquila
Foundations of Applied Mathematics
#ABOUT Semester 1 in L'Aquila;
Foundations of Applied Mathematics
The first semester at UAQ is common to all students. It provides a sound background in applied mathematics based on advanced theoretical subjects such as functional analysis, applied partial differential equations, dynamical systems, continuum mechanics, and control systems.
This semester prepares the students to perform simulations in diverse modelling frameworks, as well as to successfully tackle subjects in semester 2 such as advanced numerical calculus, optimization, and stochastic calculus. To perform this task, Semester 1 courses provide a systematic approach to the formulation of applied problems in interdisciplinary fields, and a rigorous approach to mathematical modelling. More precisely, students in this semester are provided “exact” resolution methods for (ordinary and partial) differential equations, the “infinite dimensional” approach of functional analysis (needed in approximation theory, variational calculus, and numerical analysis), a modern and “engineering oriented” approach to control, and an introduction to the mathematical theory of continuum media, a subject that is touched by several specialization tracks.
Teaching staff with longstanding experience with international joint programs in applied mathematics is in charge of this semester. The University of L’Aquila features a research group in mathematical analysis combining three generations of applied mathematicians with excellent international reputation in their field and with an outstanding research record, with main focus on partial differential equations with applications to physics, engineering, social sciences, biology and medicine.
#Semester 1 in L'Aquila EMJMD InterMaths Study Track
Foundations of Applied Mathematics;
ECTS Credits: 6 | Semester: 1 | Year: 1 | Campus: University of L'Aquila | Language: English | Code: DT0626
Unit Coordinator: Michele Palladino
Aims:
Content:
Pre-requisites:
Basic calculus and analysis in several variables, linear algebra.
Reading list:
ECTS Credits: 6 | Semester: 1 | Year: 1 | Campus: University of L'Aquila | Language: English | Code: I0459
Unit Coordinator: Bruno Rubino
Aims:
The course is intended to introduce and develop an understanding of the concepts in nonlinear dynamical systems and bifurcation theory, and an ability to analyze nonlinear dynamic models of physical systems. The emphasis is to be on understanding the underlying basis of local bifurcation analysis techniques and their applications to structural and mechanical systems.
Content:
Review of: first-order nonlinear ODE, first-order linear systems of autonomous ODE. Local theory for nonlinear dynamical systems: linearization, stable manifold theorem, stability and Liapunov functions, planar non-hyperbolic critical points, center manifold theory, normal form theory. Global theory for nonlinear systems: limit sets and attractors, limit cycles and separatrix cycles, Poincaré map. Hamiltonian systems. Poincaré-Bendixson theory. Bifurcation theory for nonlinear systems: structural stability, bifurcation at non-hyperbolic equilibrium points, Hopf bifurcations, bifurcation at non hyperbolic periodic orbits. Applications.
Pre-requisites:
Ordinary differential equations
Reading list:
Lawrence Perko, Differential equations and dynamical systems, Springer-Verlag, 2001
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Practical information for your semester in L'Aquila
Academic Calendar & Term dates
Key Dates | 2023/2024 academic year |
|---|---|
Semester 1 | 25 September - 14 January (PDF Schedule) |
Christmas vacation | 23 December - 6 January |
Semester 1 examinations | 15 January - 25 February |
Semester 2 | March - SeptemberTUHH Semester2 starts with some preliminary activities run in L'Aquila in March, then continues in Hamburg as of April 1. |
Holidays (Italy) | 1 November, 8 December, 6 April, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 10 June, 15 August |
Visa information
Applying for an Italian study visa
Please notice that, before joining our programmes, you will only need to apply for one visa only at an Italian Embassy/Consulate, as Italy is the location for your first semester/year. Afterwards, while you're spending your semester(s) in Italy, you will have the chance to apply for another visa, e.g. a German one if you're spending your Semester 2 in Hamburg, at the Germany Consulate based in Rome.
Web-based visa application on Universitaly.it
Starting from Academic year 2020-2021, the visa application procedure is completely web-based. Non-EU students not living in Italy are requested to pre-enrol using the online platform called UNIVERSITALY. Once your pre-enrolment request on Universitaly.it has been approved by the University of L'Aquila, you will receive a confirmation email. After that, you will have to get in contact with the local Italian Diplomatic-consular mission for the visa request process. Please note that the university confirmation email does not automatically imply the issue of a study visa for you, which is all up to the Diplomatic mission you're in contact with, instead.
Documents required
Please get in contact with the local embassy/consulate to learn more about the specific requirements they might have in that region.
Italian Residence Permit
The InterMaths team will assist you with preparing all the required documentation, which includes a couple of forms to be filled in and, among others:
A full copy of your passport (every single page, cover included)
A copy of your health insurance card
Accommodation proof
Financial proof
Enrolment certificate
All you need to do is visit an Italian post office and withdraw the required form known as "kit permesso di soggiorno" ("soggiorno" sounds like "sojjorno"). Then, bring it to campus and we'll fill it in together!
After that, put all the required documents (including blank forms) back in the envelope, visit an Italian post office once again and complete the submission process (including payment of the required fees) with the post office clerks. After that, your application will be submitted to the L'Aquila police station ("questura" in Italian, which sounds like "kuestura") via the post office itself. Note that you may withdraw and drop your application form at any Italian post office, not necessarily the ones in L'Aquila, but the envelope must be addressed to the L'Aquila Questura, as it's the one in charge of the place where you're going to live and study.
At the end of the submission process, the clerk at the post office will hand you out three receipts, which will be considered as your temporary residence permit (always carry a copy with you whenever you're around and drop one to our Registrar's Office to confirm your enrolment).
On such receipts you'll also find the date and time of the appointment fixed for you at the L'Aquila police station (Questura) to complete the rest of the required procedures, which includes an interview for fingerprints (carry with you passport & ID-size photos). Eventually, you'll be summoned for another appointment to collect your final (plastic) permit card - the one you can see on this page.
The whole process will be complete in approximately 2 months (but it might even take longer) and will cost you around 120 euros.
Enrolment procedure
The enrolment process involves a preliminary online phase to be performed on our university info system "Segreteria Virtuale", which is usually taken care of by the InterMaths consortium.
The process consists of:
- Account registration
- Online pre-enrolment (it has nothing to do with the Pre-Enrolment on Universitaly.it to get a study visa)
- Fee payment.
CIMEA Statements of comparability
CIMEA (ENIC/NARIC network) has implemented a service of certification and comparison of Italian and foreign qualifications. The University of L'Aquila has established an agreement with CIMEA to issue statements quicker and at discounted prices for UAQ prospective students. To take advantage of such a discounted fare, follow this link.
Note that you'll only need to request a statement of comparability.
Declaration of Value (DoV)
Diploma Supplement
For further information on this topic, check out the related webpage on the UAQ site: www.univaq.it/international
Insurance
All our students, no matter if they are EU or not, must hold valid insurance covering risks related to health, accidents, death, permanent invalidity, and civil responsibility (including travel assistance) while they are outside their home country.
An insurance card will also be necessary to apply for a residence permit.
Erasmus Mundus (EMJMD) students (either scholarship holders or not)
Prior to their arrival, they will receive from the InterMaths consortium an insurance card covering risks related to health, accidents, death, permanent invalidity, and civil responsibility, as per the minimum requirements set out by EACEA
Other students (enrolled in the RealMaths or MathMods programs).
- Non-European students must ensure they hold valid insurance fulfilling the requirements established by local authorities in the country where they will be studying that will enable them to obtain a visa, a residence permit, and enrolment at university. Note that requirements may vary a lot from country to country even within the Schengen area. Generally speaking, such insurance must offer coverage of medical costs for min. 30,000 EUR, as well as risks related to health, accidents, permanent invalidity, urgent health attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or even death, including possible repatriation for medical reasons.
- EU students, on the other hand, won't need to purchase any additional private insurance if they don't think they need one, as long as they hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Though you may get an Italian residence permit even by providing cheap insurance, we encourage everybody to ensure that the insurance coverage you are about to purchase is as comprehensive as possible.
Note that some of the options listed below, though officially valid throughout the Schengen area, may not be sufficient to obtain a visa/permit when you are going to spend a semester in another country, in Germany or Austria for instance. Please double-check before completing your purchase for a whole year or more, and contact the related staff at our partners in advance, because in other countries than Italy, they might require that you purchase a more comprehensive one and/or even public health insurance to obtain a visa/permit and even to seek enrolment at their university.
All the below-listed companies offer insurance that complies with the minimum requirements to obtain an Italian residence permit. Once again, though they are all officially valid within the Schengen area, they might not be enough to obtain visa/residence/enrolment in other countries.
- AON
[AON 24/7 emergency assistance: # +31 (0)10 44 88 260] - Expat & Co
- Protrip-World by DrWalter
- Waitaly This is the cheapest option BUT note that it is not EACEA compliant (thus, not valid for Erasmus Mundus students), but it is still valid to obtain an Italian residence permit to attend other programmes, like RealMaths for instance.
[Waitaly 24/7 emergency assistance via Europ Assistance # 800046421 (toll free from Italian phones only)
or # +39 0258286966]
Below you can find some information about finding a place to stay in L'Aquila, which is going to be your first destination in your study programme. For details about housing in the other partner universities, just browse the related section from the top menu (e.g. Consortium > Vienna).
Housing options in L'Aquila
Our university hasn't got its own halls of residence, though there is one in town managed by the Abruzzo Regional Agency for Education, aka A.D.S.U. However, as L'Aquila is undergoing huge reconstruction after the 2009 earthquake, we strongly suggest you opt for renting a flat from private owners. The cost per person ranges from 200 to 350 euros per month depending on several factors, e.g. shared or private rooms, utility bills included or not, and area. By the way, living near the campus (the area is in a suburb in west L'Aquila known as Coppito) can be cheaper but this means living away from the city life (events, nightlife, restaurants...).
Lately, a new student hall has opened up in town - it's known as Camplus. It is a private one, with no relation whatsoever with our university, but it is ideally located in the heart of the city centre, it can be booked online in advance and their fares include Wi-Fi, cleaning, maintenance etc. Check out their website to submit your application and find out more.
Temporary accommodation in L'Aquila & Useful links
ADSU Hall of Residence
ADSU (Abruzzo regional agency for education)
Adverts on Univaq.it
FB group
Below you can find some information about how to get to L'Aquila, which is going to be your first destination in your study programme. For details about reaching the other partner universities, just browse the related section from the top menu (e.g. Consortium > Nice).
How to get to L'Aquila
Rome Fiumicino
Rome Ciampino
Additional coach services (operated by T.U.A., aka as A.R.P.A. and Itabus) are available from the "Tiburtina train station" (Stazione Tiburtina) located in East Rome. But that means you'll have to first get on a train/bus/undeground from the airport to get to the "Tiburtina train station", which will take you one hour or so, at least. So, we strongly suggest you use the other option above, as those coaches will be departing right from inside the aiport parking area.
Lastly, be informed that a bunch of European cities are also connected to the Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, located at about 100 km to the east of L'Aquila.
Getting to campus
Our programmes are coordinated and hosted by D.I.S.I.M. (Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics) located on the Coppito campus in via Vetoio - West L'Aquila. The Coppito campus also hosts other departments (biology, chemistry, physics, medicine) and, most notably, the main city hospital (in Italian ospedale). Keep that in mind whenever you will be asking for directions, as everybody knows where the hospital is.
Local buses are operated by A.M.A. For more information and timetable see hereThe webpage is in Italian, but all you need to do is enter the word "ospedale" or "Università - Polo Coppito" in the search box.
Number 1 or 2U Bus are very likely the ones you'll need most, as they connect our campus to the bus station at the Hotel Amiternum, the "L'Aquilone" shopping centre, as well as the main terminaus/bus station (known as Collemaggio or Terminal) in the old city centre.