The FEniCS Project develops both fundamental software components and
end-user codes to automate numerical solution of partial differential
equations (PDEs). FEniCS enables users to translate scientific models
quickly into efficient finite element code and also offers powerful
capabilities for more experienced programmers.
FEniCS uses the variational formulation of PDEs as a language to
define models. We will explain the variational formulations for
simple problems and then show how they can be extended to simulate
fluid flow. The variational formulation also provides a firm
theoretical foundation for understanding PDEs. We argue that
combining the theory with practical coding provides a way to teach
PDEs, their numerical solution, and associated modeling without
requiring extensive mathematical prerequisites. As proof, this talk
will require no background in PDEs or finite elements, only
multi-variate calculus.
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