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CS 286c/ACM 256

Discrete Differential Geometry:Theory and Applications

This seminar/project class is geared towards helping participants understand concepts and methods from differential geometry, in particular for 2 and 3-manifolds, in a discrete rather than discretized setup. Discrete differential geometry aims to preserve selected structure when going from a continuous abstraction to a finite representation for computational purposes. For example, for a piecewise linear approximation ("mesh") of a surface one may define Gaussian curvature in such a way that important theorems are preserved in the discrete setting. Observations like this and many others have been made independently in a variety of areas ranging from electromagnetism to discrete minimal surfaces theory.

9 units; third term.

Prerequisite: permission of instructor 

• Course resources
• Lecture notes
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