This applied course covers the theory and application of Fourier analysis, including the Fourier transform, the Fourier series, and the discrete Fourier transform. Motivation will be provided by the theory of partial differential equations arising in physics and engineering. We will also cover Fourier analysis in the more general setting of orthogonal function theory. Applications in signal processing will be discussed, including the sampling theorem and aliasing, convolution theorems, and spectral analysis. Prerequisite(s): Familiarity with differential equations, linear algebra, and real analysis.
The course will be divided into seven modules, representing the fourteen weeks of the course. A module will include an assignment, two lectures, and a discussion post.
The modules will be developed as the course progresses, to include readings, code snippets, and examples. The calendar will be accurate. Assignments will generally be due on the Monday at the start of the next module.
Students are encouraged to collaborate, discuss ideas, and work together. Assignments must be completed individually but help and collaboration with other students and the instructor is encouraged / necessary for the course.
This course will cover the broad topic of Fourier Analysis with an emphasis on application, numerical examples, and real-world problems to bolster an understanding of theoretical concepts.
MATLAB or similar will be required for some assignments. While the class doesn't mandate a specific programming language, please keep this to a high-level language. MATLAB or Fortran is fine, Python is probably OK; COBOL is not likely to work. If you have concerns or a question, please review with the instructor.
It is expected that each module will take approximately 9-12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2-3 hours per week), attending lectures (3 hours per week), discussion and participation (1 hour per week), and assignments (approximately 3-4 hours per week).
This course grade will consist of two basic student requirements:
1. Assignments (90% of final grade)
Assignments will be assigned roughly every two weeks, aligning with the modules. Expect seven homework assignments, equally weighted.
2. Discussion board assignments (10% of final grade)
Weekly discussion board assignments require you to engage with other students about concepts you will be learning. You are required to respond to each discussion prompt as well as respond to at least two other students’ post.
As stated earlier, students are encouraged to collaborate, discuss ideas, and work together. Assignments must be completed individually but help and collaboration with other students and the instructor is encouraged, expected, and necessary for the course. In addition, instructor is available via email or weekly synchronous office hours.
Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the course site. Students may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Grades will post no later than one week after assignment due dates. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.
The following grades are used for this course: A+, A, A– (excellent), B+, B, B– (good), C (unsatisfactory), F (failure), I (incomplete). A grade of F indicates the student’s failure to complete or comprehend the course work.
A course for which an unsatisfactory grade (C or F) has been received may be retaken. The original grade is replaced with an R. If the failed course includes laboratory, both the lecture and laboratory work must be retaken unless the instructor indicates otherwise. A grade of W is issued to those who have dropped the course after the refund period but before the drop deadline. The transcript is part of the student’s permanent record at the university. No grade may be changed except to correct an error, to replace an incomplete with a grade, or to replace a grade with an R.
The Whiting School assumes that students possess acceptable written command of the English language. It is proper for faculty to consider writing quality when assigning grades.
For incomplete grades, please see the Graduate Programs catalogue for the Whiting School of Engineering.
The course grading scale is the following:
100–97 = A+
96–93 = A
92–90 = A−
89–87 = B+
86–83 = B
82–80 = B−
79–70 = C
<70 = F
Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses
Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.
Academic Misconduct Policy
All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.
This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.
For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.
Student Conduct Code
The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.
For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/
Classroom Climate
JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity.
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.